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Match Preview: FC Köln vs Borussia Dortmund

By Oliver Campo

DORTMUND, GERMANY - AUGUST 17: Axel Witsel and Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrate the goal of Jadon Sancho (not in frame) during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg at the Signal Iduna Park on August 217, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - AUGUST 17: Axel Witsel and Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrate the goal of Jadon Sancho (not in frame) during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg at the Signal Iduna Park on August 217, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images) /
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Borussia Dortmund face FC Köln on Friday to kick off Matchday 2 of the new Bundesliga campaign. Der BVB have not lost a match since April and will be aiming to keep that run going. FC Köln, on the other hand, will be looking to fight to stay in the Bundesliga this season.

Location: Rhein Energie Stadion, Cologne, Germany

Date: August 23rd, 2019

Time: 8:30 PM Local, 2:30 PM EST

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Borussia Dortmund

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The Black and Yellows let in an early goal against Augsburg last weekend, but ended up trashing them 5-1. Alcacer bagged a brace with Reus, Sancho and Brandt also getting on the score sheet. Borussia Dortmund have plenty of ammunition in attack, and will look to pick up where they left off as they travel to Cologne. Lucien Favre’s men are currently sitting at the top of the Bundesliga table, and they will be hoping to continue to set the pace with a dominant win against FC Köln.

FC Köln

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FC Köln are coming off of a 2-1 defeat against Wolfsburg on Match Day 1. After fighting hard to get back into the top flight, they were beaten rather easily by the Wolves last wekeend. New head coach Achim Beierlorzer has his work cut out for him as he gets ready to face one of the most dangerous attacking forces in European football. With it being his first time coaching a team in the Bundesliga, Beierlorzer will need his side to defend really well if they are to walk away with anything from their first home game of the season.

Team News

The majority of the Borussia Dortmund squad is healthy heading into the game. Mateu Morey is the only absentee with a dislocated shoulder. While Raphael Guerreiro is fit after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. Julian Brandt could make his full debut, after coming off the bench to score against Augsburg.

FC Köln will be without Christian Clemens (cruciate ligament), but the rest of their players should be available for the game.

HEIDENHEIM, GERMANY – APRIL 07: Anthony Modeste of FC Koln is replaced by Simon Terodde of FC Koln during the Second Bundesliga match between 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and 1. FC Koeln at Voith-Arena on April 07, 2019 in Heidenheim, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
HEIDENHEIM, GERMANY – APRIL 07: Anthony Modeste of FC Koln is replaced by Simon Terodde of FC Koln during the Second Bundesliga match between 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and 1. FC Koeln at Voith-Arena on April 07, 2019 in Heidenheim, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Opposition Star Men: Anthony Modeste and Simon Terodde

Anthony Modeste and Simon Terodde both played key roles in the Billy Goats’ promotion to the Bundesliga last season. The duo scored 39 goals between them last season, and will be a big threat to Dortmund’s goal on Friday. Modeste started for Köln last weekend, with Terrode coming off the bench and scoring a consolation goal late on. And it will be interesting to see who gets the nod to start against the Black and Yellows.

Both strikers have the potential to cause the Dortmund defense a lot of problems, and Mats Hummels and Manuel Akanji will have to be at their best if they are to keep a clean sheet on Friday.

COLOGNE, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 02: Michy Batshuayi of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring the goal to the 1:2 during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Koeln and Borussia Dortmund at the RheinEnergieStadion on February 02, 2018 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)
COLOGNE, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 02: Michy Batshuayi of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring the goal to the 1:2 during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Koeln and Borussia Dortmund at the RheinEnergieStadion on February 02, 2018 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images) /

Previous Match: FC Köln 2 – 3 Borussia Dortmund

The Borussia Dortmund team that played this match in February 2018 is quite different to the one today. Loan signing Michy Batshuayi scored the opener for Borussia Dortmund in the first half. The match turned up in the second half as Der BVB  and FC Köln traded goals up until the end. Batshuayi ended up scoring a brace and Andre Schurrle went on to score the game winner in the 83rd minute to give Peter Stoger’s side a hard fought win.

Expected Lineups

Borussia Dortmund: Burki – Piszczek, Akanji, Hummels, Schulz – Witsel – Brandt, Reus – Sancho, Hazard – Alcacer

FC Köln: Horn – Ehizibue, Meré, Czichos, Hector – Schindler, Skhiri, Verstraete, Kainz – Cordoba, Modeste

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