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Erling Haaland makes debut as Borussia Dortmund lose to Mainz

By Tushar Bahl

11 January 2020, Spain, Marbella: Football: Bundesliga, test matches in the training camp at the Marbella Football Center Stadium, Borussia Dortmund - FSV Mainz 05, Dortmund winter newcomer Erling Haaland (l) shakes hands with coach Lucien Favre (r). The 19-year-old Norwegian will play against FSV Mainz 05 for BVB for the first time. Photo: Friso Gentsch/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to exploit or have exploited in the stadium and/or from the game taken photographs in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Friso Gentsch/picture alliance via Getty Images)
11 January 2020, Spain, Marbella: Football: Bundesliga, test matches in the training camp at the Marbella Football Center Stadium, Borussia Dortmund - FSV Mainz 05, Dortmund winter newcomer Erling Haaland (l) shakes hands with coach Lucien Favre (r). The 19-year-old Norwegian will play against FSV Mainz 05 for BVB for the first time. Photo: Friso Gentsch/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to exploit or have exploited in the stadium and/or from the game taken photographs in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Friso Gentsch/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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Erling Haaland came off the bench to make his Borussia Dortmund debut, but the Black and Yellows suffered a 2-0 defeat to Mainz in their final mid-season friendly in Marbella.

Just hours after their 4-2 win over Feyenoord, Borussia Dortmund returned to action again, albeit with a completely different line-up. The likes of Paco Alcacer, Thorgan Hazard, Julian Brandt and Dan Axel Zagadou came into the team, while new signing Erling Haaland was named on the bench.

Mainz started well and looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the opening stages, and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions. Borussia Dortmund had to wait until the 36th minute for their first big chance. Julian Brandt was played in on goal by Thorgan Hazard, but couldn’t beat the Mainz goalkeeper.

11 January 2020, Spain, Marbella: Football: Bundesliga, test match in training camp at the Marbella Football Center Stadium, Borussia Dortmund – FSV Mainz 05. Dortmunder Julian Brandt (M) in the fight for the ball with Alexander Hack (r) from Mainz. (Photo by Friso Gentsch/picture alliance via Getty Images)
11 January 2020, Spain, Marbella: Football: Bundesliga, test match in training camp at the Marbella Football Center Stadium, Borussia Dortmund – FSV Mainz 05. Dortmunder Julian Brandt (M) in the fight for the ball with Alexander Hack (r) from Mainz. (Photo by Friso Gentsch/picture alliance via Getty Images) /

Mainz took full advantage of Dortmund’s generosity as they took the lead right on the stroke of half time, with Karim Onisiwo scoring after Manuel Akanji‘s slip.

Erling Haaland came on to make his Borussia Dortmund debut at half-time, with Lucien Favre switching to the classic 4-4-2 formation. But it was Mainz who scored again to double their lead, with defender Moussa Niakhaté heading home from a corner. The 05ers continued to create chances but weren’t able to add a third.

MARBELLA, SPAIN – JANUARY 11: Erling Haaland in action during a friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and FSV Mainz 05 at Marbella Football Center on January 11, 2020 in Marbella, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
MARBELLA, SPAIN – JANUARY 11: Erling Haaland in action during a friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and FSV Mainz 05 at Marbella Football Center on January 11, 2020 in Marbella, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Haaland got his first chance of the game late on, but the Mainz goalkeeper made a good low save to deny him from close range. There were to be no more goals though, as the game ended 2-0 in Mainz’ favour.

Next. Winners and losers from Erling Haaland’s transfer to Borussia Dortmund. dark

Borussia Dortmund may have suffered defeat, but Lucien Favre will be happy to see his players get minutes under their belts. Results don’t matter in friendly matches, and as long as the Black and Yellows beat Augsburg next week, fans will have no complaints.

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