Borussia Dortmund played their first friendly match in Bad Ragaz against AFC Sunderland and managed to get a 1-1 (1-0) draw. Even though BVB appeared to be very much in control of the match, they didn't get enough shots on goal. Only Sahin's long distance shot found the net.

Boris Rupert reports from Altach

It was a good test against a deep lying opponent, as can be expected on many more occasions in the league. Sunderland played with five at the back and they were intent on blocking off any space for passes and they mostly played with nine man behind the ball. Borussia tried to spread the game to the wings, where two outside defenders Passlack and Schmelzer made themselves available. But the first chance on goal fell to Rode after nearly fifteen minutes, who managed to get a shot in after the ball was not cleared well enough, however he just missed the goal.

The goal then came in the 17.minute: Dembélé dribbled his way through on the right hand side of the penalty area and crossed the ball into the centre. Ramos didn't manage to get his head to the ball, but again the clearance was too short and landed at the feet of Sahin who took aim from 18 metres and hit the net to make it 1-0.

However that was the highlight in a first half full of elaborate moves but not much more. Borussia Dortmund was clearly the team in control, but Thomas Tuchel was not completely satisfied with the game of his team. The Head Coach was constantly busy giving instructions.

At the start of the second half Tuchel brought on all three strikers - Aubameyang moved up front, Ramos and Mor played on the wing. But first of all there was some excitement in the Borussia penalty area: Watmore got through and had already beaten Weidenfeller, when the Englishman went to ground. However referee Ouschan decision was 'no foul, play on'! Then Sahin's chip caused some danger in front of goal at the other end of the pitch (58.).

Borussia tried their best to play a good game for their predominantly Austrian and Swiss fans in Altach, however after four intensive training sessions in the previous 48 hours in Bad Ragaz their legs were probably a bit tired to break through the defensive wall of last season's 17th placed Premier League team.

25 minutes playing time for Schürrle and Götze

When BVB were getting ready to substitute seven players – Schürrle and Guerreiro made their debut, Götze made his Ccmeback, in addition Piszczek and Weigl made their first appearance since the EURO –, Sunderland got the equaliser following a free kick: Kone headed the ball into the far corner to make it 1-1 (66.)

After a pass from Schürrle the busy Mor had already got past the goalkeeper, however a defender cleared the ball from the line (78.). Now it was Power-Play and Tuchel had to make his players slow down: Burnic, who was used as a central defender was given strict instructions after he intercepted a pass (to put it better: a clearance to give Sunderland a breather) not to join in up front.

BVB: Bürki (46. Weidenfeller) – Passlack (67. Piszczek), Sokratis (67. Burnic), Bartra (46. Merino), Schmelzer (67. Guerreiro) – Rode (46. Aubameyang), Sahin (67. Weigl)  – Dembélé (46. Mor), Kagawa (67. Götze), Castro (67. Schürrle) – Ramos (67. Pulisic)

Goals: 1:0 Sahin (17.), 1:1 Kone (66.)
Spectators: 5.238 in Altach (AUT)