Borussia Dortmund too strong for Lille

Serhou Guirassy was among the goals for Borussia Dortmund as they overcame French side Lille 3-2 in a friendly on Saturday.

Dortmund 3-2 Lille
Goals: 1-0 Groß (13'), 2-0 Guirassy (pen. 41'), 2-1 Haraldsson (66'), 3-1 Adeyemi (68'), 3-2 Meunier (81')

Lille may have finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season but they were seriously outclassed by Niko Kovač’s side in the opening 30 minutes. Dortmund were quick and aggressive from the outset, and their attacking intent was rewarded early on when Pascal Groß pounced on a defensive mistake following a corner. 

Despite their dominance, BVB had to wait until just before half-time to add to the scoreline, with Guirassy converting from the spot after Daniel Svensson had been fouled inside the box. 

Both teams made wholesale changes at the interval, and as a consequence Dortmund lost their flow somewhat. Lille pulled a goal back through Hakon Arnar Haraldsson midway through the half, but any hopes of a comeback were short-lived as Karim Adeyemi restored his side's two-goal advantage straight from the restart.

Former BVB defender Thomas Meunier reduced the deficit for Lille once more in the closing stages, but Dortmund held on to claim a well-earned victory.

Line-ups

Dortmund: Kobel (Meyer 61')- Mané (Benkara 46'), Anton (Kabar 61'), Bensebaini (Boyamba 61') - Ryerson (Couto 46'), Groß (Azhil 62'), Bellingham (Nmecha 46'), Sabitzer (Özcan 61'), Svensson (Lührs 62') - Beier (Adeyemi 46'), Guirassy (Brandt 46')
Unused subs: Hüning
Out: Campbell (workload management), Can (adductor), Drewes (workload management), Duranville (shoulder), Haller (workload management), Reyna (workload management), Schlotterbeck (knee), Süle (workload management)
Coach: Niko Kovač

Lille: Chevalier (Bodart 46') - Ngoy (Touré 79'), Diakité (Haraldsson 62'), Alexsandro (Cossier 46'), Burlet (Broholm 46') - André (Correia 62'), Mukau (Gomes 71'), Bouaddi (Meunier 62') - Fernández-Pardo (Diaoune 46'), Giroud (Mandi 46'), Sahraoui (Bentaleb 62')
Out: -
Doubtful: Tiago Santos (lack of fitness)
Coach: Bruno Génésio

As it happened!

3 - 2

(2 - 0)

Dortmund

FINAL

Lille

Friendly
Pre-season Pre-season Hemberg-Stadion, Iserlohn

Full-time: Dortmund 3-2 Lille

After emerging from the break a much-changed side, Dortmund's 2-0 lead at half-time was challenged by Lille substitute Haraldsson, who got one back not long after the hour-mark. However, just a minute later, substitute Adeyemi restored Dortmund's two-goal advantage. Former BVB full-back Thomas Meunier dented his old side's lead once again with a clever finish late on, but the Black & Yellows held on to claim the win; their very youthful second half squad impressing in the determination they showed to not let the first half lead slip.

© IMAGO/Marco Bader

Full-time

90'

+ 3

Adeyemi fouled

The speedster draws a foul from the Lille goalkeeper on the edge of the box right at the death. Couto goes for the direct effort, drawing a save from Bodart. Brandt drills in the rebound from the edge of the box, but it's wide of the post.

90'

+ 1

Özcan gives away a foul

The Dortmund midfielder brings Haraldsson down right on the edge of his side's box, down the left side. Bentaleb takes the free-kick, whipping a powerful cross in, but Meyer deals with it well.

90'

Added time

Two additional minutes are indicated.

89'

Corner for Lille

The French side are turning the screw here in search of an equaliser, but the young BVB defence is holding firm. Most recently, a Haraldsson corner came in from the right, but Kabar managed to scramble it clear.

85'

Almost the equaliser

Lille produce an incisive move down the left flank from where they manage to fire a cross into the path of goalscorer Haraldsson at the far post. This time, however, the Icelandic forward's finish is wide of the mark.

83'

It had to be him!

The former Dortmund man comes back to haunt his old side. The Belgian is played through down the right and manages to poke the ball round the onrushing Meyer with a clever outside-of-the-foot finish with his weaker left boot.

82'

Thomas Meunier

GOAL!

3:2

80'

Warm reception for Meunier

Some cheers went up around the ground after former Dortmund full-back Thomas Meunier came on for Lille here; the BVB fans don't forget one of their own.

77'

Shot blocked

Brandt combines well with Couto down the right, playing the full-back through down the touchline before Couto lays it back to him. The No.10 then looks for Adeyemi on the edge of the box, who tries to shoot first-time, but there are too many legs in the way.

75'

Cossier booked

The defender sees yellow for kicking the ball away after the referee blew for a foul on Couto.

74'

Yellow card

Isaac Cossier

72'

That would've been some introduction!

André Gomes has just come on for Mukau. Lille have a free-kick midway into Dortmund's half and play it short to Gomes, who immediately shoots from range, forcing a great save at full stretch from Meyer. What an introduction that would've been for the Portuguese midfielder!

69'

Adeyemi restores two-goal lead

That didn't last long! Boyamba receives the ball on the left flank and instantly picks his head up, spotting the run of Adeyemi. The youngster releases the German international with a great first-time ball, which Adeyemi latches onto before beating the keeper with a clever, chipped finish.

68'

Karim Adeyemi

GOAL!

3:5

67'

Haraldsson halves the advantage

The Icelandic forward is played in behind the Dortmund backline, slotting it past Meyer into the bottom right corner.

67'

Hákon Arnar Haraldsson

GOAL!

2:1

63'

Nearly calamitous

Goalkeeper Meyer, who has just come onto the pitch, almost concedes immediately after attempting a pass to Özcan, which was seized upon by a Lille forward. However, Meyer immediately made amends, sticking out a leg to deny him.

62'

Changes for Lille

After Bodart, Broholm, Cossier, Mandi, Diaoune came on at half-time to replace Chevalier, Burlet, Alexsandro, Giroud, Fernandez-Pardo, Haraldsson, Bentaleb, Correia and Meunier have just come on for Sahraoui, Diakité, Bouaddi and André.

62'

Further changes

There's more changes for BVB as Kobel, Anton, Bensebaini, Groß, Sabitzer and Svensson are replaced by Meyer, Özcan, Azhil, Kabar, Lührs, Boyamba.

The goalscorer departs

Groß opened the scoring early in the first half. He's just come off as part of the second round of wholesale changes by Niko Kovač.

© IMAGO/Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images

59'

Just Adeyemi things

The German winger shows his pace to beat his marker down the left to get to the byline. He digs out a cross which is just to high for the head of Groß and won't quite drop for Couto before Lille manage to smash it clear.

56'

Well recovered!

Couto brings a high ball down and seemingly miscontrols it; the ball getting stuck under his foot, before recovering a driving past three Lille defenders to launch a Dortmund counter. He sprays it out right to Groß, but the attack breaks down.

Productive first-half cameo for Jobe

The Englishman was a livewire in the first half for Dortmund, but has been replaced by Nmecha at half-time.

© IMAGO/Joachim Bywaletz

53'

No way past Benkara

The substitute Bodart tries to beat Benkara down the left flank, but the young BVB defender is with him all the way, sticking out a leg to make the challenge. The ball goes behind for a corner, but Lille can't make anything of it.

49'

Lille starting confidently

The French outfit, who've made five changes of their own, are playing with more freedom in the initial phase of the second half here, playing short quick passes inside Dortmund's half.

46'

Back underway!

The ball is rolling again here in Isarloh. Niko Kovač has made five changes in the second half, bringing on Elias Benkara, Yan Couto, Felix Nmecha, Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi for Filippo Mané, Julian Ryerson, Jobe Bellingham, Maximilian Beier and Serhou Guirassy.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Dortmund 2-0 Lille

A confident display from Dortmund has been rewarded with a two-goal advantage at the break. Pascal Groß provided the opener inside the first quarter of an hour, following up a rebound from a scrappy corner, before Guirassy put the Black & Yellows two up from the spot shortly before half-time. Dortmund's midfield operators - Groß, Sabitzer and Bellingham - have looked particularly lively, whilst Filippo Mané has impressed at the back.

© IMAGO/Joachim Bywaletz

Half-time

45'

+ 4

Cross overhit

Lille enjoy a spell of possession around Dortmund's box, but the killer pass is still lacking. An Ngoy cross from the right tries to unlock the BVB defence, but it's overhit and goes behind for a goal-kick.

45'

Mané down after great defending

Lille instantly look to respond after conceding a second. Fernandez-Pardo gets through down the right flank, playing a driven cross towards the far post. Mané is alert to the danger however, steering it clear in the nick of time, but colliding with teammate Ryerson in the process. The young defender takes some time getting to his feet after the clearance, but is continuing now.

41'

Guirassy makes it two from the spot!

A Sabitzer cross comes in from the right, looking for Svensson in the middle, who gets brought down in the box. The referee points to the spot; Guirassy steps up to take it and dispatches it coolly in the bottom right corner, sending Chevalier the wrong way. In the build-up, Diakité sees yellow for his protests.

41'

Serhou Guirassy

GOAL!

2:0

Penalty

40'

Yellow card

Bafodé Diakité

39'

Penalty!

Taker:

Serhou Guirassy

38'

Nervy moment for BVB

Ngoy puts a hopeful cross in from the right. Anton tries to knock it down to Kobel, but didn't realise the keeper had come off his line. The Swiss manages to recover quickly, however, to prevent the corner.

38'

Sabitzer back on

After treatment, the Austrian has re-entered the fray.

37'

Sabitzer receiving treatment

The Dortmund man has since left the field to receive further treatment, but has not been substituted off as of yet. For now, Dortmund will continue with 10 men.

35'

Players down

There's a stoppage after Sabitzer and Burlet stay down, following a challenge which saw the pair clash shins. Both teams have an opportunity to rehydrate and both players are back to their feet now.

30'

Lille growing

After a slow start from the French outfit, Lille are starting to knock the ball around more confidently and deeper inside Dortmund's half. However, they're still yet to create any clear-cut chances.

Groß celebrates

The veteran German midfielder's opener remains the difference between these two sides here.

© IMAGO/Joachim Bywaletz

25'

The other post!

Once again, Dortmund combine well in the opposition half. Bellingham plays it to Guirassy, who moves a first-touch pass on to Sabitzer. It pops up nicely for the Austrian, who strikes a powerful effort, which clips the outside of the right post on its way behind. Chevalier was beaten there...

24'

Cheeky from Sabitzer

Guirassy is played in behind the Lille defence. He cuts back after drawing Chevalier off his line, laying it off to Sabitzer, who attempts a chipped finish, but his effort is blocked.

22'

Beier's turn

Groß spearheads a quick BVB counter-attack, playing it left to Beier, who drives goalwards before hitting a strike towards the bottom right corner. Chevalier is equal to the effort, though.

20'

Ryerson takes...

...but this time, nothing comes of it for Dortmund.

19'

Woodwork!

Groß wins the ball back high up the pitch near the right corner flag. The German lays it off to Sabitzer, who, from the edge of the box, curls a left-footed effort towards the top left corner. It's an incredibly well-struck effort, matched only by an incredible fingertip save from Chevalier, who manages to tip the ball onto the post and behind for a corner.

15'

Almost an immediate second!

Bensebaini plays a great ball to release Bellingham down the left. The English midfielder shows some excellent skill to beat his man and get to the byline, from where he digs a cross out, aiming for Guirassy. The Lille goalkeeper watches it all the way, however, diving bravely amongst a lot of legs to push the cross clear.

13'

Groß smashes in the opener!

From the resultant corner, Ryerson whips a teasing ball into the six-yard box. It bounces off a Lille defender, precipitating a scramble in the box and forcing Chevalier to make a save, but Groß stays switched on, following up the rebound to open the scoring.

13'

Pascal Groß

GOAL!

1:0

12'

Guirassy brought down

The striker is fouled by André about 35 yards from goal. Ryerson takes the set-piece, playing a deep cross towards the far post, which is headed behind by Lille for a corner.

9'

Ryerson down the right

Dortmund turn defence into attack quickly, with Bellingham playing a great switch out right, which Groß helps on towards Ryerson. The full-back is in an advanced position, but loses the ball high up the right flank before he can put a cross in.

8'

Asserting control

Dortmund are knocking the ball around confidently in the middle of the park and around their backline. However, they've not looked to break between Lille's lines as of yet.

4'

First corner

Ryerson takes an in-swinger from the left. The ball bounces twice dangerously before Lille manage to clear.

2'

Energetic start

Dortmund's No. 9 looks to make an instant impact, cutting in off the left flank before letting a curling effort fly towards the far corner. Chevalier dives to his left to make a good stop.

1'

And we're off!

It's Guirassy who gets the ball rolling here for Dortmund at the Hemberg Stadium.

Kick-off!

All set!

Kick-off is coming right up in Isarloh. There's a good chance this is the team Kovač will start the new season with...

Familiar faces

The France national team's record scorer Olivier Giroud leads the line for Lille, whose bench features ex-Dortmund defender Thomas Meunier and former Schalke midfielder Nabil Bentaleb.

More on that BVB team

Kovač makes a number of changes to the side that started the 8-1 win in Siegen, with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, defender Remy Bensebaini, wing-back Julian Ryerson and forwards Maxi Beier and Serhou Guirassy all coming in. Italian Filippo Mané, 20, keeps his place in the back three, while summer signing Jobe Bellingham retains his place in attacking midfield.

Dortmund starting line-up

Kobel (c) - Mané, Anton, Bensebaini, Ryerson, Groß, Sabitzer, Svensson - Jobe - Guirassy, Beier

Dortmund subs

Meyer, Couto, Özcan, Nmecha, Brandt, Adeyemi, Kabar, Benkara, Lührs, Boyamba, Hüning

Reunion for a familiar face

Dortmund's meeting with Lille will set up a reunion for former BVB full-back Thomas Meunier. The Belgian was on the Black & Yellows' books between 2020 and 2024, making 56 appearances before switching to the French side at the beginning of the 2024/25 season.

© IMAGO/Kirchner/Jan-Philipp Strobel

Favourable recent record

Dortmund faced Lille in the round of 16 of last season's instalment of the UEFA Champions League, drawing 1-1 in the first leg at home before travelling across the border to beat the French side 2-1 in their own backyard. Goals from Karim Adeyemi, Emre Can and Maximilian Beier ensured the Black & Yellows progressed to the quarter-finals.

© IMAGO/Mika Volkmann

Anton: "We were very good at converting chances"

“We played good football in those 90 minutes and we’re satisfied with the result. We saw a lot of positive things. We were very good at converting chances - we scored goals without having a lot of chances. That’s what we need to do in every game. In the next few weeks we’ll really step it up to be as well-prepared as possible for the Cup and the league.”

© Borussia Dortmund

Kovač saw "some nice combinations"

Speaking after the game, Dortmund gaffer Niko Kovač had this to say: “We only started three days ago. I think the boys seemed very fresh, they had spirit, and they played some nice combinations and scored some nice goals, especially in the first half. It was about finishing the first two, three days of training with a game. In the pre-season, we need to try to improve the things that were good. And the other things that we don’t do so well need to be improved significantly. It was a bit born of necessity, but I know that Jule [Brandt] can play as a floating 9, a 10. Serhou would have played well, but we wanted to save him.”

© IMAGO/Fotostand / Fantini

First win of pre-season

On Wednesday, Dortmund emerged 8-1 winners over Regionalliga outfit Sportfreunde Siegen. Goals from Elias Benkara, Yan Couto, Karim Adeyemi, Marcel Sabitzer, Maximilian Beier, Ayman Azhil, and a brace from Julian Brandt ensured an emphatic first victory of BVB's pre-season schedule in front of 18,400 spectators at the Leimbach Stadium.

© IMAGO/Joachim Bywaletz

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