U23s prepare to host Lotte in first home game

Borussia Dortmund came close to picking up points in their first game of the season last week. Ultimately, though, Tullberg's charges left empty-handed following a defeat against RW Essen, one of the favourites for the title. For much of the match, the Black & Yellows delivered the kind of combative yet technically attractive display they will be hoping to reproduce in their first home game of the campaign. Their opponents at Stadion Rote Erde at 16:30 CET on Sunday afternoon will be Sportfreunde Lotte.

Lotte, who were relegated from the third tier last term, are facing some major personnel problems at present and currently have only 19 players in what looks to be an ultra-light squad. The matchday squad for their opening-day clash with promoted side Haltern consisted of only 15 players. Coach Ismail Atalan's new-look team lost 1-0 and sit 14th in the table ahead of their meeting with BVB.

It will be a particularly special occasion for Dortmund midfielder Marco Hober, who spent a year playing for Sportfreunde before returning to Dortmund in the summer of 2018. The 23-year-old will have fond memories of the last time he faced Lotte in the black and yellow shirt of Borussia Dortmund, having scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over them in February 2016. All in all, BVB have a positive head-to-head record against their Matchday 2 opponents, against whom they haven't lost for over 10 years.

Borussia Dortmund have come up with a rather special initiative to mark the big BVB season opening event on Sunday. Once the official presentation of the senior squad has taken place at the Strobelallee, the visitors will have the chance to attend the Regionalliga match at the Rote Erde for a discounted price (€2.50 for a seat; €5.50 for a standing space). The box offices around Stadion Rote Erde will be open from 10:00 CET on the day of the match.