Borussia Dortmund huffed and puffed, but eked out an unconvincing 1-0 victory over FC Tokyo on Saturday. Fabio Silva was on target for the Bundesliga giants in a match that was marred by extreme rains and a few missed chances.
With many of their first-team stars playing for the first time this preseason, the Black and Yellow looked more menacing going forward and created a litany of chances as FC Tokyo were on the tenterhooks.
The hosts resorted to play on the break here but the ploy didn't really come off as Waldemar Anton and Luca Reggiani commanded the BVB defensive area with authority, instead forcing them to try their luck from a distance many a times.
Anton, who was back in action for Dortmund for the first time since wrapping up World Cup commitments with Germany, expressed his contentment at resuming club duties. Speaking to the press after the game, he said:
"“I felt really good—really fit. When we had to come back in after the first rain shower, it was a bit tiring. But overall, it was a good test for the lads who played for the first time today. You could tell that at times they were fresher and more agile than we were.""
But then the Uzbekistan-born centre-back revealed something which the Dortmund fans have been clamoring for this preseason, which is for them to take their chances.
After netting thrice against RW Oberhausen in their first preseason game of the summer, the BVB managed to score just twice more from their next three: one each against Fortuna Dusseldorf and FC Tokyo, while firing a blank in the shock 1-0 loss to Cerezo Osaka.
The lack of attacking firepower from Dortmund had really rubbed their fans the wrong way, who grew desperate to see some of their usual flair and panache going forward. Although the side did create a handful of chances on Saturday, the cutting edge was still missing.
Anton admitted that his team should be burying them if they were to challenge for trophies next season but was relieved to have come away with a victory on his maiden pre-season appearance.
""Still, we had a lot of control in the first half and good chances to take a 1-0 lead. We need to capitalize on those better and play a little better in our final third. We finished the week on a high note. I’m glad we came away with the win here.”"
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