Defeat in Japan: BVB lose to Cerezo Osaka | OneFootball

After two intense days of cultural activities and an open training session, Borussia Dortmund faced Cerezo Osaka. World Cup participants Felix Nmecha, Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Beier, Daniel Svensson, and Carney Chukwuemeka – who had joined preseason training late – were part of the traveling squad but were not included in the game roster due to their delayed arrival. For the hosts, former Borussian player Shinji Kagawa led the team onto the field as captain.

The 25,000 spectators could see right from the start that Cerezo was a step ahead in their preseason preparations. Shortly after kickoff, Filippo Mane slid in to take the ball away from Osaka’s Solomon Sakuragawa. Dortmund’s defense was kept busy in the opening stages, and goalkeeper Alex Meyer and Almugera Kabar initially kept the score at 0-0. But in the eighth minute, their resistance was broken: Sakuragawa headed in a corner kick that was unstoppable to make it 1-0.

After conceding the goal, BVB began to control the game more. Justin Lerma had his first dangerous shot on goal: however, the new signing curled the ball just past the right post (15th minute). It was the first good chance, but it came to nothing. Shortly afterward, Serhou Guirassy was unable to capitalize on a nice layoff from Takato Yamamoto. The Japanese player had joined BVB from Gamba Osaka just a few weeks earlier.

Instead, it was Cerezo again: Around the half-hour mark, Kagawa drove the ball forward. However, Filippo Mane and Kabar shut down the lively Sakuragawa. Mane was unable to continue after that play and was replaced by Jan-Luca Riedl. Before halftime, BVB had two more chances: Yamamoto’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was blocked (36th minute). Four minutes later, Guirassy had a very good chance, but his shot rolled just wide to the left. Following a quick attack, Yamamoto had once again set up the striker.

BVB started the second half without making any substitutions. And once again, it was Cerezo that looked fresher in the sweltering temperatures of around 30 degrees. Yumeki Yokoyama appeared in front of the goal: Yan Couto deflected his acrobatic shot as he turned. In the 58th minute, it was Yokoyama again, but he posed no problems for Meyer.

After an hour, BVB coach Niko Kovac brought eight new players into the game; only Meyer and Joane Gadou from the starting lineup remained on the field. One of the new players: Fabio Silva. The striker crossed into the middle in the 68th minute but found no one to receive it. The Borussians continued to lack precision in possession, and the final pass often failed to connect.

Silva squandered the Black and Yellows’ best chance of the second half when the ball landed at his feet following a miscommunication by Cerezos. However, his shot at the near post was blocked at the last second (84th minute). Osaka remained the more dangerous team and had the opportunity to extend their lead with two free kicks shortly before the end—but failed to capitalize on them. Seconds before the final whistle, Romeo Ritter headed the ball into the net, but the goal was disallowed due to a narrow offside call. In the end, the score remained 0–1 from BVB’s perspective.

Onward to Tokyo

The final whistle brought the Osaka chapter to a close – after three eventful days of training, cultural activities, and soccer. Immediately after the game, the team headed to the airport, bound for Tokyo. In the Japanese capital, more cultural activities and a public training session await before they face FC Tokyo on August 1. Kickoff is at 19:00 JST (12:00 CEST), live on BVB-TV, Sky, and DAZN.

CEREZO OSAKA – BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1–0 (1–0)

Friendly Match

BVB: Meyer – Couto (60. Mirza), Gadou, Mane (35. Riedl), Reggiani (60. Ritter), Kabar (60. dos Santos) – Yamamoto (60’ Adje), Bellingham (60’ Azhil), Lerma (60’ Wessels), Inacio (60’ Albert) – Guirassy (60’ Silva)