Bundesliga
New Borussia Dortmund signing Erling Haaland watched on as his teammates began preparations for the second half of the 2019/20 season with a goalless draw against Standard Liege.
Standard Liege 0-0 Borussia Dortmund
Lucien Favre put out a strong side for Dortmund’s first friendly of the new calendar year, with youngsters Gio Reyna and Chris Fürhlich the only non-first-team players involved in the starting line-up. Chances were few and far between in the first half but Dortmund dominated possession, with Axel Witsel back in midfield wearing a face mask to protect the facial injury he suffered before the end of 2019. Führlich had the first real opening chance of the game, the 21-year old curling a shot wide from the edge of the box while Raphael Guerreiro hit a free-kick past the Liege post.
Nine changes were made at the break, including Jadon Sancho coming into the game to have his first run-out of 2020, but Haaland remained on the bench. Dortmund stayed in control of possession and continued to use the game as a means of building fitness, with Favre’s side happy to work up a sweat without necessarily going all-our for the win. That said, Sancho had the opportunity to settle the contest in BVB's favour from a direct free-kick on the edge of the Liege box, but the England international curled his effort over the bar. Dortmund face Feyenoord and Mainz later in the week.
90' - DAHOUD HAS A GO
The midfield takes aim from range but his shot skids along the floor and passed the diving hands of the Liege goalkeeper. The first real shot on goal of the second half here for BVB.
80' - FITNESS CLEARLY THE KEY
It's obvious to see that Dortmund really don't mind about winning this game. Rather, they are much more interested in working hard and building fitness together as a team.
70' - SANCHO FIRES OVER
The Englishman lines up a free-kick from 20 yards out, but sends it curling over the Liege crossbar. A rare chance for him to impress from a set-piece in front of goal, with the likes of Paco Alcacer, Marco Reus and Raphael Guerreiro the usual contenders from direct free-kicks.
68' - SATURDAY REMINDER
It's a good time to make you all aware that Dortmund will be playing two games on Saturday, 11 January. One against fellow Bundesliga side Mainz, and the other against Dutch team Feyenoord. The games will take place at 5pm CET and 12pm CET respectively. You can follow live updates from both games here on bundesliga.com.
60' - DORTMUND STILL ON TOP
Despite the wholesale changes at the break it's still Dortmund in control of this game. It's a continuing story, though, with chances few and far between. Mahmoud Dahoud has fired a shot high over the Liege goal from distance and that's the only action we've seen in front of goal thus far.
50' - SANCHO ON FOR DORTMUND
The Englishman is on to play the rest of this friendly game, all going well. It's his first run-out of 2020 for Dortmund.
46' - DORTMUND SECOND HALF XI!
Hitz - Morey, Balerdi, Akanji, Schulz - Raschl, Dahoud - Sancho, Pherai, Führich - Tigges
KICK-OFF!
We're back underway here in Spain for the second half and there have been a host of changes for Dortmund. We'll sort them out ASAP.
HALF-TIME!
Time for a break in Marbella after a solid first half for Dortmund, who have been the far better side so far and will be looking to go ahead in the second half with more chances on goal.
41' - GUERREIRO FIRES WIDE
Brandt shows good awareness to latch onto a mistake in the Liege midfield before playing the ball to Guerriero alongside him, running towards the edge of the Liege box. He goes for goal first-time but slices his shot wide of the mark.
35' - WITSEL WORKING HARD
The midfielder has been more involved than anyone else so far in this warm-up match. Dortmund dominating the ball, happily keeping it in midfield and defence while searching for an attacking opening, and Witsel is in control of most of their play.
30' - CLOSE FROM GUERREIRO
The versatile left-footer goes for goal direct from a free-kick on the edge of the Liege box, curling his effort over the wall, but also just beyond the Belgian side's far post.
28' - HAALAND WATCHING ON
The teenager is not among the substitutes today, but he is on the bench watching his teammates play on. Jadon Sancho, though, is available and could well come on as we go.
21' - FÜHRICH HAS THE FIRST SHOT!
The 21-year-old forward has the first go at goal of the game after a mistake in the Liege defence. Götze picked up possession 20 yards from goal and played it to his German teammate, who curled a shot at goal, forcing a save from Bodart. Almost a fantastic start for Führich in his first game for BVB.
18' - NO CHANCES SO FAR
Neither side has had an attempt on goal so far, but Dortmund are dominating possession. Neat passing is a constant through the midfield and defence, Favre's side are only struggling to break into the Standard third of the pitch with the ball.
12' - MASK ON FOR AXEL
The Belgian midfielder is sporting a mask to protect his face today. Witsel had suffered a facial injury before the end of the first half of the season and despite being fit to play, clearly still requires some protection.
10' - REYNA SHOWING HIS TALENTS
Both with and without the ball, American teenager Gio Reyna has shown his talents early on. One long run through midfield which ended with him being brought down by a Standard player, while he has interlinked with Julian Brandt and Axel Witsel in midfield and made defensive contributions high up the pitch.
5' - BOTH SIDES STARTING WELL
Standard and Dortmund have both been enjoying time on the ball in these opening five minutes, with the Belgian side forcing a corner from the BVB defence.
1' - KICK-OFF!
We're underway here in Spain for Dortmund's first game of the year.
STRONG LINE-UP FROM FAVRE
Lucien Favre is beginning Dortmund's preparations for this first game of 2020 with a strong side. Youngsters Mateu Morey, Gio Reyna and Chris Führich are also involved. Here is the starting XI once again:
Bürki - Piszczek, Hummels, Zagadou - Morey, Brandt, Witsel, Guerreiro - Reyna, Götze, Führich
NO START FOR HAALAND
Dortmund's new signing, Erling Haaland, is not starting this game having only trained individually so far since joining the Bundesliga side from Red Bull Salzburg. It's yet to be seen if the striker comes on from the bench, with the Norway international possibly among the substitutes which BVB have yet to announce.
WELCOME!
Hello and welcome to our live update coverage of Borussia Dortmund's first winter friendly as they come up against Belgian side Standard Liege as part of their training camp in Marbella, Spain.
Watch: Haaland's arrival at Dortmund!
Liege: Bodart (Gillet 46') - Fai (Laifis 46'), Vanheusden, Lavalee, Miangue - Cimirot (Vojvoda 46') - J. Carcela (Mpoku 46'), Lestienne (Boljevic 46'), Amallah, M. Carcela (Raskin 46') - Cop (Avenatti 46')
Out: Dussenne (knee), Emond (unknown), Sa (Achilles)
Coach: Michel Preud'homme
Dortmund: Bürki (Hitz 46') - Piszczek (Schulz 46'), Hummels (Balerdi (46'), Zagadou (Akanji 46') - Morey, Brandt (Raschl 46'), Witsel (Dahoud 46'), Guerreiro (Sancho 46') - Reyna (Pherai 46'), Götze (Tigges 46'), Führich
Out: Bruun Larsen (illness), Delaney (ankle), Hakimi (on leave), Hazard (knee), Reus (muscular)
Coach: Lucien Favre