BVB lose 2-0 to Villarreal

In the morning, the team had completed another training session in Bad Ragaz before visiting Altach for the second time in a few days. After going down 3-1 to Valencia on Monday, the Black & Yellows were ready to face another Spanish team, Villareal, in their last friendly before the start of competitive action away to 1860 Munich in exactly one week's time. Before kick-off, Villareal captain Gerard Moreno presented Marco Reus with a jersey signed by the entire team and bearing Sebastien Haller's number 9, along with well wishes for the Dortmund striker's recovery.

For the first time in pre-season, BVB coach Edin Terzic deployed a three-man defensive line consisting of Schlotterbeck, Hummels and Süle. The lively Reus had a great opportunity after just a few seconds, but his shot failed to get the better of Villareal goalkeeper Rulli. The Spanish side's keeper was again called to action in the ensuing stages: with 15 minutes on the clock, he did well to deny Adeyemi, while four minutes later he rushed out of his box and smothered the ball at Reus's feet. Then, in the 24th minute, the Black & Yellow captain sent Malen clean through on goal with an inch-perfect pass, but again the Villareal keeper emerged victorious in the one-on-one. BVB had by far the better chances in the early stages, with the Spaniards happy to sit deep and wait for counter-attacking opportunities.

With the temperatures well over 30 degrees again in Altach, the players had a water break midway through the first half. Once action resumed, BVB continued to dominate proceedings: in the 28th minute, Bellingham missed the target after playing a one-two with Süle. Shortly afterwards, Mandi managed to make a last-ditch challenge just as Reus lined up a shot on goal. However, Villareal soon started to flex their muscles offensively: a desperate sliding challenge from Meunier was required to deny Danjuma on the half-hour mark. Six minutes later, the attacker found himself alone in front of goal, but he was unable to get the better of goalkeeper Meyer. In what was proving to be an intense match, BVB soon regained the initiative: Brandt broke through on goal and drilled a shot on target from the edge of the box. Rulli made the initial save, while Adeyemi's effort on the follow-up was blocked by a Villareal defender and almost rebounded into the back of the net (38). After that, first Malen missed from close range (40), then Adeyemi struck the near post (44). BVB more than deserved to have the lead, but instead it was down the other end that the opening goal was scored: first Meyer was able to block Moreno's shot, but the Spaniard pounced on the follow-up to make it 1-0.

Villarreal got off to a better start in the second half. BVB were struggling to create much offensively and had several dangerous moments to deal with at the back: in the 53rd minute, Meunier cleared off the line to rescue his beaten goalkeeper, and seven minutes later, a shot fizzed just wide of the left-hand post. In the 67th minute, the Spaniards extended their lead, with Chukwueze firing home from the edge of the area to make it 2-0. After a long lull, Hazard posed a threat with a strong solo effort which was deflected behind for a corner (81). Three minutes later, Moukoko missed after being played one-on-one with Rulli. The last highlight of the game was a shot off the upright from Chukwueze (86).

After another training session on Saturday morning, the team will return to Dortmund. The first competitive match is scheduled for next Friday, when the Black & Yellows face 1860 Munich in the DFB-Pokal.

BVB: Meyer – Süle, Hummels (69, Passlack), Schlotterbeck – Meunier (60, Wolf), Brandt (77, Fink), Bellingham, Guerreiro (60, Hazard) – Reus (69, Kamara) – Adeyemi (60, Bynoe-Gittens), Malen (60, Moukoko)

Goals: 0-1 Moreno (45), 0-2 Chukwueze (67)
Christina Reinke