Match Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Hertha BSC Berlin

Finally we’ll hear the YNWA again. After a little over three months, Borussia Dortmund will play their first home game of the season against Hertha BSC Berlin.

Dortmund started the season well, easily winning against 1.FC Rielasingen-Arlen in the DFB Cup and following that up with a decisive 3-0 win on matchday 1 against VfL Wolfsburg. However Berlin will be a tougher opponent for the black and yellows. Since the appointment of Pal Dardai as their coach, Hertha has been somewhat of a bogey team for Dortmund. The Hungarian coach has them playing a more defensive style than the rest of the Bundesliga which is mostly a league that prefers attacking football.

A solid defense is the foundation of Berlin’s success, however their offense shouldn’t be disregarded. Spearheaded by the veterans Ibisevic and Kalou they are always dangerous on the counter and can turn games in their favor in a matter of seconds. The speedy Mathew Leckie who joined them this summer brings another facet to their game that will surely worry Peter Bosz. The Australian international scored both goals in Hertha’s 2-0 victory over Stuttgart last week.

Hopefully coach Bosz will find a way to decipher Berlin’s defense and keep the three points in Dortmund.

Lineup

Considering the excellent performance last week against Wolfsburg, there aren’t many reasons for Peter Bosz to change his lineup. Marcel Schmelzer is back in training but Bosz confirmed in the pre-match press conference that the game still comes a bit to early for him.

Reus, Guerreiro, Rode, Schürrle and Weigl are also still out with injuries which severely limits Dortmund’s options. The only real competition for a starting spot right now is between Castro and Dahoud. Gonzalo Castro started last week and did a pretty good job but Dahoud should be the preferred option in the long run.

Prediction: 2-1 BVB

Hertha is tricky opponent but BVB should be able to keep the three points in Dortmund. If Götze and Pulisic can repeat their performances from last week then our offense should be good enough to crack Berlin’s defense and secure the win.