We are fully into pre-season now and things have started pretty well for Peter Bosz and his new recruits at Dortmund. Whilst his side continue to learn his tactical plans, they’ve had pre-season games thick and fast. Starting off with a local game against Rot-Weiß Essen, which unfortunately ended in a 3-2 defeat for Bosz.
Then came a trip out to Japan and China, where Dortmund’s opening game of the tour was at Urawa Red Diamonds, which this time ended with a 3-2 win for BVB. However, the most entertaining and interesting match in the tour was against the new look AC Milan, who fielded new signings such as Ricardo Rodriguez, Franck Kessie and Fabio Borini. Dortmund lined up with Roman Weidenfeller in goal, a back four of Piszczek, Bartra, Sokratis and Zagadou, a midfield trio of Rode, Sahin and Castro, with a pacey front three of Dembele, Aubameyang and Pulisic.
Things started very well for BVB with Dembele especially, causing havoc on the right hand side and cutting onto his left. But it was front the left hand side which gave Dortmund the lead, Pulisic the creator – won’t be the first time this gets mentioned – teeing it up for Sahin to strike low and hard into the bottom corner.
Once again Dembele was causing Milan all sorts of problems on the right as he played a defence cutting pass through to Pulisic who subsequently was brought down in the box. Penalty to Dortmund! Who was to step up, non other than hitman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who blasted into the top corner doubling Dortmund’s lead. Dortmund also came out with a statement confirming the he will not be sold this season.
Zagadou sloppily gave the ball away and Carlos Bacca capitalised, Zagadou tried to win it back and almost made up for his error, but somehow Bacca wriggled his was through and miraculously scored with a swerving grass cutter. 2-1 the score now.
Dortmund’s attack continued to cause Milan trouble, but it wasn’t until the second half when Pulisic played another ball across goal and BVB’s super poacher Aubameyang slid in for his second of the game. 3-1 it finished!
In the same part of the World, Bayern lost to Arsenal! yes you heard me correctly, Arsenal! Don’t get too carried away Arsenal fans, the game ended a 1-1 draw and Arsenal won on penalties. Their following game came against AC Milan, the same Milan that lost convincingly to Dortmund. It ended with a 4-0 thumping of the German Champions, not something that James Rodriguez and Carlo Ancelotti anticipated.
Now moving onto a few transfers that have gone on over the last week and its been a very quiet one with only a few to mention; Jorge Mere from Sporting Gijon and Joao Querios from SC Braga both arrived at FC Koln.
Bartosz Kapustka arrived at Freiburg from Leicester City on a season long loan; the Polish star who had a great EURO 2016 hadn’t had much of an opportunity at the 2016 English Champions but he will be hoping to rekindle his career.
In other news, the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 have announced that Electronic Arts have acquired the rights to exclusively license match simulation products until 2022. So FIFA games can continue to brand the Bundesliga teams for another five years.
In addition, Sega and Konami have also become partners for the first time, securing themselves rights packages. Head of Sports Interactive’s Miles Jacobson made the announcement on the 18th July with the four year deal starting for the release of Football Manager 2019.