Borussia Dortmund welcome Roma to a sold-out Signal Iduna Park on Saturday for their traditional season opener and final pre-season friendly. The squad presentation will precede a high-profile test against last season's third-placed Serie A side, with former Dortmund forward Donyell Malen returning as part of the visiting attack.
Dortmund's preparations have been inconsistent, but they return home with momentum after an impressive 3-2 victory over Premier League champions Arsenal. Niko Kovac's side have won three and lost two of their five friendlies and now have one last opportunity to sharpen their structure before facing Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup on August 22.
Roma have found the summer more difficult, recording one win, one draw and two defeats under Gian Piero Gasperini. A 3-0 loss at Brighton followed open, high-scoring games against Cannes, Cardiff City and Newport County, leaving the Giallorossi seeking a more balanced display before their Serie A opener against Fiorentina.
Borussia Dortmund vs Roma: Key Stats
Borussia Dortmund pre-season form guide: W-L-L-W-W, with three victories from five friendlies
Roma pre-season form guide: D-L-W-L, with one victory from four matches
Dortmund have scored eight goals and conceded six during pre-season
Roma have scored eight and conceded 11, allowing at least three goals in three of their four friendlies
The clubs won one match each in their only competitive tie, with Dortmund advancing 2-1 on aggregate in the 1992-93 UEFA Cup
Photo Credit (BVB)
What to Expect
Dortmund should move closer to their strongest available XI after Gregor Kobel and Julian Ryerson returned to training. Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck remain unavailable, so Waldemar Anton is likely to lead a back three containing the promising Luca Reggiani and Joane Gadou, who scored the winner against Arsenal.
Felix Nmecha and Jobe Bellingham can give Dortmund energy in the centre, while Ryerson and Daniel Svensson provide width. Konstantinos Karetsas and Samuele Inacio both scored in the 3-2 victory over Arsenal and should support Serhou Guirassy, giving the hosts speed and invention between Roma's midfield and back line.
Gasperini is expected to retain Roma's 3-4-2-1 shape, with new signing Konstantinos Koulierakis competing for a place in the back three and Nahuel Molina more likely to begin on the bench. Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule should operate behind Malen, whose movement and pace offer Roma their best route to exploiting the space behind Dortmund's wing-backs.
Predicted Lineups
Borussia Dortmund (3-4-2-1)
Kobel; Reggiani, Anton, Gadou; Ryerson, Nmecha, Bellingham, Svensson; Inacio, Karetsas; Guirassy
Roma (3-4-2-1)
Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Koulierakis; Rensch, El Aynaoui, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soule; Malen
Players to Watch
Konstantinos Karetsas - Marked his Dortmund debut with an excellent goal against Arsenal and now has the chance to make an immediate impression in front of the Yellow Wall. His close control and ability to drift into central pockets can disturb Roma's defensive shape.
Serhou Guirassy - Remains Dortmund's focal point through his penalty-area movement, finishing and ability to bring the attacking midfielders into play. Roma's vulnerable defence faces its sternest physical test of the summer.
Donyell Malen - Returns to Signal Iduna Park as Roma's most direct transition threat. His familiarity with the stadium adds to the occasion, but it is his speed behind Dortmund's advanced wing-backs that could make him decisive.
Paulo Dybala - The creative hub behind Malen, Dybala can punish the hosts if their midfield press becomes stretched. His passing, set-piece quality and combinations with Soule give Roma a route through Dortmund's reshaped defence.
Prediction
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.57
Every Roma friendly this summer has produced at least three goals. Gasperini's side have scored eight times in four matches but conceded 11, including at least three in games against Cannes, Cardiff and Brighton. Dortmund have the quality to exploit those weaknesses after scoring three against Arsenal.
The hosts have also conceded in four of their five friendlies and remain without Can and Schlotterbeck, so Malen, Dybala and Soule can contribute at the other end. With both coaches likely to use attacking line-ups and rotate as the match opens up, three or more goals is a safer selection than relying on either inconsistent side to win.