Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-2 draw with AS Roma in their final preseason game of the summer on Saturday with all four goals of the match coming inside the opening 30 minutes.
In what was billed their season opener at the Signal Iduna Park, fans got a glimpse of all their new signings as Konstantinos Karetsas and Joane Gadou started while Kaua Prates and Takato Yamamoto came off the bench in the second half.
World Cup stars Gregor Kobel and Julian Ryerson also featured for the first time this preseason as head coach Niko Kovac once again rang in the changes although Waldemar Anton (workload management), Carney Chukwuemeka (muscle problem) and Maximilian Beier (knee issue) missed the clash.
Roma though, went in front against the odds after just four minutes into the kick-off as Paulo Dybala made a sumptuous finish from inside the box as Dortmund were unable to clear their lines.
Just five minutes later, the BVB found themselves 2-0 behind as Bryan Cristante doubled Roma's advantage from a corner, heading in from close-range following an inch-perfect delivery by Dybala.
Dortmund soon got their act together and upped the ante, dominating possession and getting forward with purpose as Julian Ryerson pulled one back in the 12th minute.
He then turned provider for Serhou Guirassy, dispatching a free-kick into the Giallorossi box for the striker to connect with and make a simple finish for his first strike in five games as the hosts were level.
Niko Kovac's side continued to hold the ball and made some promising inroads into Roma's area, but lacked that killer final pass to make a difference.
The story continued in the second half too as Dortmund created a slew of good chances but nothing came of it.
In a bid to add fresh legs into their play, Kovac made six substitutions in the game too with Marcel Sabitzer, Mathis Albert, Fabio Silva, Kaua Prates, Takato Yamamoto and Luca Reggiani all coming in.
However, a third goal remained elusive for the home side, who wrapped up their preseason campaign with a draw for the first time.
Next week, Borussia Dortmund officially kick start their 2026-27 campaign in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against arch-nemesis Bayern Munich which is also scheduled to be played at the Westfalonstadion.
As for AS Roma, the Serie A giants begin the new Serie A season against Fiorentina on 24 August at the Stadio Olimpico.
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