Bundesliga
Who will play in attack alongside Guirassy?
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač says he has “several scenarios in mind” with regard to who will accompany star striker Serhou Guirassy in attack this season.
Guirassy was on target from the penalty spot as Dortmund beat Lille 3-2 in a friendly on Saturday, with Maximilian Beier and Jobe Bellingham occupying the positions in attacking midfield behind him.
Watch: Highlights of Dortmund's win over Lille
In the team’s first friendly of the summer a few days earlier, Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi had begun furthest forward. Both found the target in an 8-1 win, albeit against lower-league opposition, while Adeyemi was on the scoresheet once more against Lille.
Asked about his attacking options after the final whistle blew on Saturday, Kovač said: “We have several scenarios in mind. We want to give everyone game time. It’s important that every single player who plays also performs.
“And both Maxi [Beier] and Karim [Adeyemi] did that. This is BVB: there’s competition for places and everyone has to work for their spot.”
Watch: All of Adeyemi's Bundesliga goals and assists
Guirassy looks certain to be the main man once more, having registered 21 Bundesliga goals last season, but Sebastién Haller is also an option having returned to the club from a loan spell in 2024/25.
Beier, Adeyemi, Brandt, Bellingham, Felix Nmecha and Julien Duranville are all options for Kovač in the supporting roles as they look for the goals that can drive a sustained push for silverware this season.
At the opposite end of the pitch, personnel issues appear to be somewhat clearer. With Nico Schlotterbeck still sidelined, the Dortmund coach has given 20-year-old centre-back Filippo Mané a chance in pre-season – and he has taken it with both hands.
Mané has started both of the team’s friendlies so far this summer alongside Waldemar Anton, and he has impressed his boss.
“You can see his potential,” Kovač said after the victory over Lille. “Unfortunately, he was injured a lot last season. Now we’re guiding him through pre-season training.
“He’s done really well – not just today, but also against Siegen. Filippo is aggressive, very fast and plays simply. That’s important for a centre-back.
"There’s no need to complicate things when it can be simple. You can see that he has Italian roots: Filippo is uncompromising. He’s someone who throws himself into the action, who sees defending as his responsibility.”