Dortmund vs Villarreal Live Streaming on Koora 24

Borussia Dortmund vs. Villarreal: Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal in a pre-season friendly at the CASHPOINT Arena this Tuesday. Dortmund’s new manager, Nuri Sahin, aims to integrate his tactical approach before the Bundesliga season begins, while Villarreal seeks to reclaim a spot in European competitions for the 2024-25 La Liga campaign.

Match Preview

Dortmund's Redemption Quest

Borussia Dortmund's disappointing 2023-24 season could have been forgotten with a Champions League victory over Real Madrid on June 1. However, their 2-0 defeat, despite dominating the first half and creating several scoring chances, added to their woes. Goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior sealed Dortmund's fate.

The Black and Yellow finished fifth in the Bundesliga, amassing 63 points from 34 matches. This was particularly disheartening as they missed out on exploiting Bayern Munich's slip-ups, who lost the title to Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen. Criticism of then-manager Edin Terzic's pragmatic style led to his departure at the end of the season.

Nuri Sahin, a former Dortmund player and assistant manager under Terzic, was promoted to head coach with a three-year contract. Sahin's adventurous style was evident in their recent 3-2 victory against Cerezo Osaka on July 24, showcasing a more dynamic approach.

Villarreal's Revival Mission

Villarreal also had a lackluster 2023-24 season, finishing eighth with 53 points, 11 fewer than the previous season. This marked their lowest points tally since the 2018-19 season, where they managed only 44 points. Failing to qualify for Europe for the first time since 2018-19, Villarreal now has more time under manager Marcelino Garcia Toral for preparation and improvement.

Toral, who took over in November 2023, became the club’s third permanent manager of the season following the dismissals of Quique Setien and Pacheta. Under his leadership, Villarreal recorded 15 wins, nine draws, and eight losses, finishing the La Liga season with just one defeat in their last eight matches. Their latest pre-season friendly ended in a 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest on August 2.

Team News and Expected Lineups Dortmund vs Villarreal

Borussia Dortmund

Nuri Sahin is likely to experiment with his lineup, aiming to fine-tune his strategy. Key players such as Marco Reus and Mats Hummels might feature prominently to provide stability and leadership. Young talents like Youssoufa Moukoko could also get a chance to shine in the friendly.

Expected Lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Gregor Kobel
• Defenders: Thomas Meunier, Mats Hummels, Nico Schlotterbeck, Raphael Guerreiro
• Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Emre Can, Julian Brandt
• Forwards: Marco Reus, Youssoufa Moukoko, Donyell Malen

Villarreal

Marcelino Garcia Toral will likely use this match to evaluate his squad's readiness for the upcoming La Liga season. Experienced players like Gerard Moreno and Pau Torres are expected to be key figures, while new signings might get a chance to integrate into the team.

Expected Lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Geronimo Rulli
• Defenders: Juan Foyth, Raul Albiol, Pau Torres, Alfonso Pedraza
• Midfielders: Dani Parejo, Etienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin
• Forwards: Gerard Moreno, Arnaut Danjuma, Samuel Chukwueze

Tactical Analysis

Dortmund's Offensive Approach

Under Sahin, Dortmund is expected to play an aggressive, attacking game. The focus will be on quick transitions and exploiting spaces behind the opposition’s defense. Key players like Jude Bellingham and Julian Brandt will be crucial in driving the midfield forward and creating scoring opportunities.

Villarreal's Defensive Solidity

Villarreal, under Toral, will likely focus on maintaining a solid defensive structure. With experienced defenders like Raul Albiol and Pau Torres, they aim to frustrate Dortmund’s attackers. In midfield, the likes of Dani Parejo and Etienne Capoue will work to disrupt Dortmund’s flow and initiate counter-attacks.

Match Prediction

Given both teams are in a phase of preparation, the match could be a closely contested affair. Dortmund’s new attacking style under Sahin might give them a slight edge, but Villarreal’s defensive resilience should not be underestimated. A draw seems a likely outcome, but a narrow win for either side is also possible.

In conclusion, this pre-season friendly will be a valuable test for both Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal as they fine-tune their tactics and strategies ahead of the new season. Fans can look forward to an exciting clash with both teams eager to make a statement.