The World Cup participants are still on holiday when the preparations for the season ahead get under way, but the vast majority of the new signings have arrived in Dortmund in time to undergo the usual performance tests and take part in some initial training sessions at the Hoeschpark. The first pre-season friendly ends in victory as Alexander Isak scores the first BVB goal of the 2018/19 campaign in a 1-0 win away to Austria Vienna.

The club officials deem the eight-day USA Tour to be "completely and entirely successful". On a sporting level, too, the expectations are not only met but surpassed. "The assessment is very, very positive," declares Lucien Favre, who is impressed by the enthusiasm that surrounds his new club. "There were fans of Borussia Dortmund everywhere. That was a big surprise for me," says the Swiss tactician. Two wins, 1-0 against Manchester City and 3-1 against Liverpool, plus a "draw" − that is how the penalty shootout defeat to Benfica is officially classified by the organisers of the International Champions Cup − see Dortmund finish the summer tournament as runners-up. (br)