BVB beat Sion 1-0 to win first friendly of the year

Borussia Dortmund began the game with a 4-1-4-1 formation, with new signing Kevin Kampl taking on a prominent role, pulling the strings in midfield. After being put through a tough training session earlier on Tuesday, the Black and Yellows looked visibly tired, yet they still managed to show their trademark pressing game on one or two occasions. After good work from Grosskreutz, Immobile had the first chance for BVB on 15 minutes, but saw his effort denied by the Swiss goalkeeper. Borussia then had a legitimate call for a penalty waved away after a foul on Dudziak, with the Under-23 full back having another good chance inside the box on 33 minutes when he saw his shot from 15 yards got blocked.

The biggest chance of the first half, however, fell to Sion, but Weidenfeller was on hand to keep out a shot from a tight angle with an acrobatic save (27 mins.).

BVB – for whom Durm had to pull out shortly before the game, while Sokratis and Reus were rested - made eight changes at halftime.

The first chance after the interval again came for Borussia, with 16-year-old Passlack going close with a shot with the outside of his boot. The only goal of the afternoon came from another BVB youngster. On the eve of his 19th birthday, Stankovic gave himself an early present when he stabbed home a Schmelzer corner on 59 minutes to put the Black and Yellows in front. Blaszczykowski had a chance to double the score 11 minutes from time but his effort from a narrow angle went just wide.

Borussia’s second game of their training week in Spain will be on Saturday (kick-off: 1630 CET) against Steaua Bucharest.

BVB 1st half: Weidenfeller – Piszczek, Ginter, Hummels, Dudziak – Sahin – Passlack, Kampl, Gündogan, Großkreutz – Immobile
BVB 2nd half: Alomerovic – Passlack, Subotic, Stankovic, Schmelzer – Kehl, Kirch – Dudziak (62. Harder), Jojic, Blaszczykowski – Immobile
Goal: 1-0 Stankovic (59.)