Just a week on from clinching the 2026 Emirates Cup against Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund face another top-tier European opponent tomorrow in AS Roma.
In what's their last preseason friendly of the summer, the BVB are set to host the Giallorossi at the Signal Iduna Park as the match is billed as the season opener.
Niko Kovac's side take on Bayern Munich in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup next week while the Rome outfit open their new Serie A season against Fiorentina on 24 August.
While they haven't met in an official game since 1992-93 season, Dortmund and Roma lock horns in a friendly for the first time in 19 years.
Dortmund vs Roma Team News
Besides the long-term casualties Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck, Kovac has the entire squad at his disposal.
The last players to arrive from the World Cup, Julian Ryerson and Gregor Kobel, could be set for their first appearances here, although it's unclear if Kovac is going to start them.
Summer signing Konstantinos Karetsas is gearing up for his home debut and will be looking to make a mark in front of the home fans just the way he did in Emirates last week.
As for Roma, the visitors will be led by former Dortmund marksman, Donyell Malen, who returns to Westfalonstadion for the first time since his departure in January 2025.
Nahuel Molina, who joined from Atletico Madrid just two days ago, could make his first appearance for the Italian side.
Dortmund vs Roma Probable Lineups
Dortmund's expected XI: Alexander Meyer; Joane Gadou, Filippo Mane, Ramy Bensebaini; Daniel Svensson, Jobe Bellingham, Felix Nmecha, Maximilian Beier, Konstantinos Karetsas, Samuele Inacio, Fabio Silva.
Roma's expected XI: Mile Svilar, Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, Mario Hermoso, Devyne Rensch, Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante, Wesley Franca, Paulo Dybala, Matias Soule, Donyell Malen.
Dortmund vs Roma Prediction
Like the Arsenal game, this one will be closely fought encounter too with many first-team stars on both sides likely to feature in the XI and play to their strengths with the new season fast approaching. A positive result for either team would give them a massive boost heading into the new campaign, and that's exactly what these European giants seek. But, Roma's fragile defense means we're inclined to go with the BVB here, who may bag a handful of goals and give their home fans something to cheer for the first time this term.
Predicted score: Dortmund 3-1 Roma
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