As the summer heat intensifies, so does the anticipation for an exciting pre-season friendly between J1 League’s Cerezo Osaka and Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund. The match, scheduled for Wednesday, July 24th at 11:15 AM UK time (3:45 PM IST), promises to be an enthralling encounter at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka, Japan.
Both teams enter this fixture with contrasting circumstances. Cerezo Osaka, currently in the midst of their domestic campaign, find themselves in sixth place in the J1 League with 37 points from 24 matches. The Cherry Blossoms, as they’re affectionately known, are winless in their last four outings across all competitions.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund are still finding their footing under new manager Nuri Sahin, who replaced Edin Terzic following their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. The Black and Yellows have struggled in their pre-season matches so far, drawing 1-1 with Erzgebirge Aue and suffering a surprising 4-0 loss to Thai club BG Pathum United.
Team News Injuries, and Projected Lineups
Cerezo Osaka will be without defender Ryuya Nishio, who has been called up to the Japan Olympic squad. However, there’s a silver lining for the hosts as former Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa is back in contention after missing the last two matches.
Projected Cerezo Osaka Lineup (4-3-3): Tanaka, Fernandes, Uejo, Capixaba, Funaki, Okuno, Kim, Noborizato, Toriumi, Leo Ceara
Borussia Dortmund’s squad has been depleted due to several players’ involvement in Euro 2024. Notable absentees include Gregor Kobel, Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can, Marcel Sabitzer, Donyell Malen, and Niclas Fullkrug. New signings Waldemar Anton and Serhou Guirassy are also unavailable for this fixture.
Projected Borussia Dortmund XI (4-2-3-1): Brandt, Moukoko, Kamara, Ryerson, Bynoe-Gittens, Nmecha, Adeyemi, Rothe, Luhrs, Sule, Meyer
Key Players to Watch
For Cerezo Osaka, Brazilian striker Leo Ceara has been in scintillating form, netting 16 goals this season. His clinical finishing and intelligent movement will be crucial against Dortmund’s defense.
Julian Brandt stands out for Borussia Dortmund. The German international enjoyed a stellar 2023-24 campaign, contributing 10 goals and 14 assists across all competitions. His technical prowess and ability to dictate play from midfield will be vital for the visitors.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
This match marks the first-ever meeting between Cerezo Osaka and Borussia Dortmund, adding an element of unpredictability to the encounter.
Cerezo Osaka’s recent form: W-D-L-D-L
Borussia Dortmund’s recent form: L-W-L-D-L
Match Prediction
Despite their recent struggles, Borussia Dortmund’s quality and depth should give them an edge in this friendly. However, Cerezo Osaka, playing on home turf and in the middle of their competitive season, won’t make it easy for the German side.
Expect an entertaining, high-scoring affair with Dortmund potentially edging it. Predicted score: Cerezo Osaka 2-3 Borussia Dortmund
Where to Watch
Fans can catch the action live on OneFootball, which will be streaming the match globally.
Viewers from Germany can watch the live match on Sky Sport News HD and Sky Bundesliga HD 1. In Switzerland, the match will be live-streamed on Sky Bundesliga HD 1.
As both teams aim to fine-tune their tactics and build momentum, this friendly promises to be an intriguing clash of styles between Japanese and German football. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a neutral fan, this pre-season encounter is not to be missed.
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