‘Dortmund away is a big challenge,’ Frankfurt boss Toppmöller says.
Borussia Dortmund and Frankfurt clash at Signal Iduna Park this Saturday at 17:30 [GMT+1], with both teams riding high from convincing DFB-Pokal victories and eyeing a solid start to their Bundesliga campaigns.
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund picked up a 4-1 win over FC Phönix Lübeck in the first round of the DFB-Pokal last weekend and now return after a successful pre-season outing. The Black & Yellows lost only once in four club friendlies, albeit in embarrassing fashion with a 4-0 loss to BG Pathum United F.C.
After a disappointing 5th-place finish last term, Dortmund will be aiming for a much higher place on the table this season. While Niclas Füllkrug made an exit to West Ham for €27 million, Dortmund made additions to bolster their side, spending €18 million for Serhou Guirassy, who had a standout season with Stuttgart last time out.
Centre forward Maximilian Beier also joined the squad after a €28.5 million transfer deal with Hoffenheim. Additionally, 28-year-old centre-back Waldemar Anton joined Dortmund for €22.5 million. Meanwhile, Marco Reus left the club to join the MLS side Los Angeles.
Nuri Şahin, who took over the managerial role after Edin Terzić's departure, will be hoping the new additions make a difference on Match Day 1. In 15 previous games against Frankfurt, Dortmund have won five and lost only once. Şahin, who calls himself a ‘perfectionist,’ aims to extend Dortmund’s six-game unbeaten run against Frankfurt.
A 3—4—2—1 formation with Karim Adeyemi in attack is expected. However, Serhou Guirassy is ruled out with a knee injury and will play no part in Dortmund’s opening fixture against Frankfurt.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Frankfurt are also coming off the back of a resounding victory after a 4-1 win over Eintracht Braunschweig in Monday’s DFB-Pokal clash. Dino Toppmöller’s side finished in 6th place last term but will look to finish further up the table this season.
A successful outing in pre-season was the perfect test bed for Die Adler, having gone on to win five of their six games, with two of them ending in 11-0 and 12-0 victories. While it would be near impossible to see such a scoreline on Saturday, Frankfurt will be eager to leave Signal Iduna Park with at least a point.
‘We’re the outsiders here. We’re looking forward to kicking off our campaign and want to ride the wave of positivity that we’re currently on and bring energy to this game,’ Toppmöller said. ‘Dortmund away is a big challenge,’ he added.
A 4—2—3—1 formation with Hugo Ekitiké, who bagged a brace against Braunschweig, in attack is expected on Saturday.
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