Borussia Dortmund met Cerezo Osaka in a pre-season friendly that saw the Japanese side take an early advantage and secure a 1-0 victory. Despite Dortmund’s efforts, a decisive eighth-minute goal left them trailing. Solomon Sakuragawa, capitalizing on a well-delivered corner, powered a header past BVB's defenses. Dortmund, which featured several new signings and returning World Cup players like Felix Nmecha and Carney Chukwuemeka, appeared to be adjusting to the match’s intensity and the extreme heat, which reached around 30 degrees Celsius.
Dortmund's Struggles in the First Half
Dortmund started the match on the back foot, with Cerezo showing immediate confidence and clarity in their play. The visitors’ defense, led by Alex Meyer and Almugera Kabar, managed to keep the hosts at bay initially, maintaining a clean sheet through the first 45 minutes. However, Sakuragawa’s early goal shifted the momentum. Dortmund struggled to respond with consistent energy and missed key opportunities to find an equalizer. Justin Lerma wasted a prime opportunity in the 15th minute, curling a shot narrowly past the post. Later, Serhou Guirassy had a strong chance after a fine assist from Takato Yamamoto but was unable to score, leaving the hosts ahead at halftime.
The second half saw Dortmund reshuffle their lineup, with head coach Niko Kovac making eight substitutions. Newcomer Fabio Silva joined the fray but failed to capitalize on the best chance of the match. In the 84th minute, a defensive error presented him with a clear shot, but his effort was thwarted just before it reached the goal. Despite these changes, BVB struggled to find the same rhythm and cohesion. Meanwhile, Cerezo continued to play with more freshness and composure. Shinji Kagawa, the captain for Cerezo and a former Dortmund player, helped drive their attack, though he was later denied by a strong defensive play from Mane and Kabar.
What’s Next for Dortmund
With their time in Osaka coming to a close, Dortmund immediately set off for Tokyo following the match. Their upcoming schedule includes more training sessions, cultural events, and a friendly against FC Tokyo on August 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 19:00 JST (12:00 CEST) and will be available to watch via BVB-TV, Sky, and DAZN. Niko Kovac will need to find ways to integrate his new signings more effectively and improve the team’s finishing in order to build on their performance in the coming weeks. The results from this match will no doubt shape the final stage of their pre-season preparations.
Cerezo Osaka showed a high level of preparedness throughout the game, a testament to their pre-season work. The team’s captain, Shinji Kagawa, played a key role in several attacking moves, while Yamamoto and Sakuragawa provided consistent pressure on BVB’s defense. However, their final passes and shots were not always clinical. Late in the match, Cerezo had two chances from free kicks and one late goal disallowed due to an offside call, all of which kept the scoreline at 1-0. Despite these close calls, the hosts were able to hold onto their lead and earn a well-fought victory.
For Borussia Dortmund, this match highlighted the challenges of integrating new players and building form after the busy World Cup. Although the team played with energy in the second half, they lacked the same level of organization and sharpness. The squad’s performance will be crucial as they continue their Asian tour, with matches in Tokyo coming up in the days ahead. Dortmund will need to refine their passing and finish with more precision to ensure they are fully ready for the Bundesliga season.
The result of this match, a 1-0 defeat for BVB, underscores the work that remains for the team before the regular season begins. While there were positive moments in the second half, the first 45 minutes and the lack of clinical finishing proved costly. With more games ahead, coach Niko Kovac has a chance to address these issues and fine-tune his squad’s performance.