Bayern Munich has won the German Bundesliga the past 11 straight seasons. Borussia Dortmund finished runners-up in seven of those campaigns. Last year, they ended up level on points with Bayern, but lost the silverware on goal differential. Is this the year they finally break through?
The road to finally usurping the hegemon starts in the preseason, and up next is a tune-up against big money club Chelsea FC.
Club Friendly FYIs
Chelsea FC vs Borussia Dortmund
Kickoff: 7:30pm CST Wed. Aug. 2, Soldier Field, Chicago, IL, USA
Team News: Chelsea FC Borussia Dortmund
Starting XI Predictions: Chelsea FC Borussia Dortmund
Gaga Slonina Player Profiles: here, here and here
Buy Low, Sell High: the BVB Way: go here
Watch: ESPN+
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
For the Black and Yellow, this will be the third time the club that have played at Soldier Field with the first taking place way back in 1954. Back then Dortmund played a seven-match preseason tour in the United States.
They were also here in 2018 against Manchester City.
The very next year, they beat Liverpool in a friendly staged just about two hours drive east of here, in South Bend, Indiana. That was in an even bigger and more historical venue- Notre Dame Stadium, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. As this is a massive showcase game, as were the other two matches that were just mentioned, a strong first team will be needed.
After all, it is exactly what Edin Terzic did last night, in the win over Manchester United.
Borussia Dortmund Starting XI Prediction vs Chelsea FC
Kobel; Wolf, Sule, Hummels, Ryerson; Can, Sabitzer; Malen, Brandt, Adeyemi; Haller
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.