BVB opponents Fortuna Düsseldorf: fresh start after the downfall | OneFootball

Things can move incredibly fast in sport. Joy and sorrow are often close together. Borussia Dortmund’s next opponent had to learn that bitter lesson as well. On Saturday (July 25, 1 p.m.), BVB will visit Fortuna Düsseldorf.

In the 2023/24 season, Fortuna fell painfully short in the promotion/relegation playoff for the Bundesliga. As the second division’s third-placed team, they secured a stunning 3–0 away win against VfL Bochum. In the return leg, however, the Ruhr club turned the tables and won by exactly the same scoreline. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Bochum held their nerve better and secured survival.

After finishing sixth the following year, Fortuna collapsed last season. Although promotion to the Bundesliga was the stated goal, the Rhineland club remained stuck in the lower half of the table throughout. On the final matchday, they even slipped from 15th place to 17th — a relegation spot — after a 3–0 defeat in Fürth.

The squad has been hit hard by departures. The few key players, such as captain and goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier (29/free agent), midfield engine Satoshi Tanaka (23/to Schalke 04), striker Cedric Itten (29/Werder Bremen), as well as attacking player Shinta Appelkamp (25/Greuther Fürth) and U20 international Sima Suso (21/Augsburg), all left the club after relegation.

However, sporting director Samir Arabi (47) also brought in several notable signings for head coach Alexander Ende (46). Center-back Dominique Heintz (32) joined Düsseldorf from regional rivals 1. FC Köln. Karlsruhe’s Fabian Schleusener (34) is expected to provide the goals they need.

One of the big favorites for promotion

Together with Rot-Weiss Essen and Hansa Rostock, Fortuna Düsseldorf is considered one of the top favorites for promotion in the 3. Liga. The opening match will offer the first indication of where the new season might lead. The 1933 German champions will kick off the new campaign away to Waldhof Mannheim on August 7.

Photo: Getty Images

The Rhineland club’s fans are ready. A total of 19,000 season tickets have been sold. “Only 1,500 fewer season tickets sold than in the previous second-division season,” Fortuna proudly reported on its website.

But before things get serious, there are still two weeks to go. Next Saturday, Borussia Dortmund will face Düsseldorf in what will be Fortuna’s first real test of strength.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.