What to expect from Dortmund this season

Dortmund finished their US tour Wednesday with a 1-1 draw vs Chelsea, Marius Wolf scored the loan Dortmund goal in the 80th minute off of a deflected Samuel Bamba shot

Chelsea however in the 89th minute scored with a free header off of a corner, showing the inconsistent marking that was apparent last season 

Nevertheless Dortmund remain undefeated in their 6 preseason games, winning against Rhynern, Oberhausen, Erfurt, San Diego Loyal, Man United, and tying against Chelsea

On August 3rd Dortmund flew out of Chicago, returning home to Dortmund, where they'll play Ajax on August 6th at the Westfalen in their final test game

Dortmund Chelsea match takeaways

If anyone like me was still skeptical of Bensebaini it sure has passed, he's shown pure defensive class against Antony and Sterling the last 2 games, something our supporters weren't used to seeing the last couple years with Geurreiro 

We saw Dortmund in a 4-3-3 with a holding midfielder yesterday, but when attacking as usual the defensive midfielder, Salih Ozcan last night, would drop between the 2 center backs while the fullbacks, Ryerson and Bensebaini, would take a wide position around midfield, having Adeyemi and Malen become more like inverted wingers who sometimes found themselves going back out wide

What to expect in the Bundesliga

Dortmund's first official game comes against Schott Mainz in the Pokal August 12th, with their first Bundesliga game against Köln a week later

I would expect a lineup like the one below

With this I would expect the same style we usually see, gegenpressing, Sebastien Haller this season is very prepared and knows gegenpressing, it did a huge plus to have him fully fit, with this being our first season seeing him at full fitness, this brings the ability to press more apparent and his hold up play in the midfield even more dangerous 

Player to Watch 

There are players you know will make a difference, Haller, Karim, Donny, Nico, Niklas, but one name I think people need to look out for is Ryerson, not everyone is sold on the Norwegian right back, but if you could describe him in 1 word it would be automatic, for the way he is constantly running down the right side and doing the defending work consistently, you also might hear the word machine, and those are both true, he will definitely be a player to keep an eye on

Winter transfer strategy

Internally it's no secret there are still doubts on the consistency of Bensebaini but those will likely pass, that being said Dortmund are saving money, they want to be in a good position incase something doesn't work out and they're required to make winter signings

What they'll do nobody knows but our hopes remain high that they'll win the Meisterschale this season

Image via Borussia Dortmund