‘Dortmund away is a big challenge,’ Frankfurt boss Toppmöller says.

Borussia Dortmund vs. Frankfurt begins at 17:30 [GMT+1] on Saturday, April 24 at Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund picked up a 4-1 win over FC Phönix Lübeck in the first round of the DFB-Pokal last weekend and now return after a successful pre-season outing. The Black & Yellows lost only once in four club friendlies, but in embarrassing fashion after a 4-0 loss to BG Pathum United F.C. After a disappointing 5th-place finish last term, Dortmund will be looking to finish much higher up the table this season. While Niclas Füllkrug made an exit to West Ham for €27 million, Dortmund made additions to bolster their side, forking out €18 million for Serhou Guirassy, who had a brilliant season with Stuttgart last time out. Centre forward Maximilian Beier also joined the side after a €28.5 million transfer deal with Hoffenheim. Twenty-eight-year-old centre-back Waldemar Anton also joined Dortmund for €22.5 million. Meanwhile, Marco Reus left the club to join MLS side Los Angeles. Nuri Şahin, who slipped into the managerial role after Edin Terzić walked away from the job, will be hoping the additions make the difference on Match Day 1. In 15 previous games against the visitors, Dortmund have won five and lost only once [2-1, 2020/21]. Şahin, who branded himself as a ‘perfectionist,’ would like to see Dortmund’s six-game unbeaten run against Frankfurt stretched further. A 3—4—2—1 with Karim Adeyemi in attack is expected. Serhou Guirassy is ruled out with a knee injury and will play no part in Dortmund’s opening fixture against Frankfurt.

Frankfurt are also coming off the back of a resounding victory after a 4-1 win over Eintracht Braunschweig in Monday’s DFB-Pokal clash. Dino Toppmöller’s side finished in 6th place last term but will look to finish further up the table this season. A successful outing in pre-season was the perfect test bed for Die Adler, having gone on to win five of their six games, with two of them ending in 11-0 and 12-0 victories. While it would be near impossible to see such a scoreline on Saturday, Frankfurt will be eager to leave Signal Iduna Park with at least a point. ‘We’re the outsiders here. We’re looking forward to kicking off our campaign and want to ride the wave of positivity that we’re currently on and bring energy to this game,’ Toppmöller said. ‘Dortmund away is a big challenge,’ he added. A 4—2—3—1 with Hugo Ekitiké, who bagged a brace against Braunschweig in attack, is expected on Saturday.