Marcel Schmelzer made his return, Nuri Sahin must continue to remain patient though. Schmelzer played for the first time this calendar year in a friendly match which BVB won 3:1 (1:1), with goals from Christian Pulisic and Adrian Ramos, who scored a brace.

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Die Torschützen Christian Pulisic und Adrian Ramos

Boris Rupert reports from Berlin.

Manager Thomas Tuchel used a number of players in Berlin who either featured briefly or not at all in yesterday’s league match in Gladbach.  As well as Sahin, the still injured Sven Bender was also missing. 

The starting eleven that ran out onto the pitch at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei was full of big name players: three world-cup winners (Weidenfeller, Durm, Ginter) were present, as were four internationals (Kagawa, Subotic, Schmelzer, Ramos). The setting was appropriate, with 22, 012 spectators, including just under 3000 Dortmund fans (!), creating a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium. The Berlin fans had cause to celebrate first, as Skrzybski nicked a goal in the 20th minute to go 1-0 up. Before that, Weidenfeller had brilliantly saved a shot from Wood. The second-division side had two more good chances in the opening stages.

On the other side of the park, Union Keeper Haas made an excellent save against Kagawa after Ramos deftly flicked on a pass from Schmelzer (11.), and spectacularly clawed away a long-range shot from Laitner out of the top corner of the goal (27.). Ramos had hit the post just before (26.), but the goal would not have stood anyway, being offside.

Packed stadium, great atmosphere, attacking football.

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Im Kopfballduell gefordert: Erik Durm

On a muddy pitch, Dortmund clearly had the upper hand. Kagawa had the opportunity to equalize in the 40th minute but shot Pulisic’s return pass over the bar. Pulisic muscled his way into the penalty area again two minutes later from the left wing. Haas, who had been excellent until that point, reckoned with a cross, and his anger was evident as a shot flew in on his near post – 1:1 at the break.

Thirty-three seconds after the start of the second-half, Weidenfeller managed to thwart Wood’s attempt to take the lead once more, with Schmelzer clearing off the line later (61.). At the other end of the pitch, Berlin’s second keeper Busk was unable to hold onto a shot from Schmelzer, with Ramos heading in the spilled catch to take the lead 1:2 (57.).

After 68 minutes Schmelzer and Ginter were substituted; Passlack moved from right back to left. A further five minutes and it was time for Durm to take a bath. Weidenfeller stopped Korte from scoring immediately after (75.), and then Ramos scored in the following counterattack, taking the score to 1:3. The only thing of significance for the Berlin fans at this point was Benjamin Köhler’s substitution into the game. The entire stadium rose to its feet as Weidenfeller put the ball out of play to allow the substitution to take place. (82.).

Dortmund will be guests in Berlin once again in two weeks’ time, when they play Hertha.

BVB: Weidenfeller – Durm (74. Pieper), Stenzel, Subotic, Schmelzer (69. Bruun Larsen) – Ginter (69. Burnic) – Leitner, Kagawa – Passlack, Ramos, Pulisic
Goals: 1:0 Skrzybski (20.), 1:1 Pulisic (42.), 1:2 Ramos (57.), 1:3 Ramos (77.).
Attendance: 22.012 (sold-out)