Nuri Sahin is set to take charge of his first Bundesliga game as Borussia Dortmund boss when his side face Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday at Westfalenstadion in each team's first league game of the season.
The home side had a disappointing domestic campaign in 2023-24 and placed fifth with 63 points, while the visitors finished sixth with 47 points.
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Sahin's appointment and attacking style of play has brought a sense of optimism back to the club after the heartbreak of losing the Champions League against Real Madrid on June 1.
Had Dortmund won the final then the domestic failings of previous boss Edin Terzic's tenure might have been overlooked, but the fact his pragmatic football arguably cost his team the league title in 2022-23 was hard to ignore.
Indeed, while Bayer Leverkusen claimed the achievement of toppling usual title-winners Bayern Munich in 2023-24, Terzic side lost out on the 2022-23 title to Bayern on goal difference after they drew 2-2 on the final matchday against Mainz 05 on May 27, 2023.
Under Sahin, Dortmund have won twice, drawn twice and lost once in their pre-season fixtures, and they won 4-1 against Phonix Lubeck in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 17.
BVB were 3-0 ahead at half time against Phonix Lubeck, and even though it is too early to say how successful Sahin will be, it is clear that his side is far more proactive than last season's team.
Dortmund come into the new Bundesliga season having won just twice in their final five league matches of 2023-24, as well as three times in their final six top-flight matches at Westfalenstadion.
Opponents Eintracht Frankfurt's sixth-placed finish last term was one position higher than they managed in 2022-23, though they tallied three points fewer.
To their credit, the visitors' league placement in 2023-24 was their joint second best in the last 12 seasons, but they have bettered their points total five times in that period.
The Eagles scored 51 goals and conceded on 50 occasions in the Bundesliga last season, and these records made them the eighth-best offensive and sixth-best defensive side.
Boss Dino Toppmoller's side won their most recent game 4-1 against Eintracht Braunschweig in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 19, but they were made to work for their victory.
Eintracht Frankfurt only took the lead in the 52nd minute, although in fairness to Toppmoller, his team were excellent in the second half and created all three of their big chances after the half-time interval.
The Eagles won one, drew four and lost four of their final nine Bundesliga games in 2023-24, including a 3-1 defeat against Dortmund on March 17.
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Team News
The hosts have relatively few injury concerns to contend with, although signing Serhou Guirassy is ruled out due to a knee issue, while Kjell Watjen is also a doubt.
Sahin could start Maximilian Beier in place of Guirassy, and he may be flanked by Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Julian Brandt.
As for the visitors, Aurele Amenda and Marcel Wenig are not expected to return until September, while Mehdi Loune is due back in October.
Eintracht Frankfurt could name Omar Marmoush, Mario Gotze and Fares Chaibi behind striker Hugo Ekitike.
Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Couto, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Can, Gross; Bynoe-Gittens, Sabitzer, Brandt; Beier
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Kristensen, Tuta, Koch, Nkounkou; Skhiri, Larsson; Marmoush, Gotze, Chaibi; Ekitike
We say: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Backed by the Yellow Wall, it would not be surprising if Sahin's side made a good start in the Bundesliga, with his team creating several chances.
As with any new manager, it will take time for players to adjust to his style, and Eintracht Frankfurt could create opportunities of their own.
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