Three talking points ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s season opener against MSV Duisburg

Will there be a post-international break hangover?

This month’s international break certainly did not come at an ideal time for clubs in Europe. Borussia Dortmund had 15 players out on international duty, and their absence over the last ten days will certainly have disrupted the flow of the pre-season preparations, as Lucien Favre had to work with a much smaller group.

Borussia Dortmund have a big squad, so hopefully the momentum generated during the Bad Ragaz training camp will not have been affected. But it might take the likes of Jadon Sancho, Erling Haaland and Raphael Guerreiro some time to get their rhythm back. Although Haaland scored three goals in two games for Norway, so he will be looking to keep that scoring record going when he takes the pitch for Borussia Dortmund.

The schedule is also unforgiving for the players, especially those who did go on international duty. But luckily for Borussia Dortmund, there weren’t any new injuries, and hopefully the players will be fit and firing to go ahead of the new season.