Borussia News

Today's friendly against Sunderland (1530 CET, BORUSSIA PARK) completes Borussia's pre-season preparations

A tough five weeks of pre-season come to an end today when Borussia entertain Premier League side Sunderland in the new season curtain-raiser. The game serves as a dress rehearsal for Friday's DFB Cup tie at Jahn Regensburg and the Bundesliga opener at Bayern Munich a week later. "I'm not thinking about Bayern yet," said Lucien Favre. "We play Sunderland first and then Regensburg. When the time comes, we have to be mentally prepared." The Swiss coach is unlikely to do much experimenting, however, and will probably field the eleven players who will start against Regensburg.

"We won't make as many substitutions as we have done in the warm-up matches," said Favre. "Sunderland are a good team and it's my last chance to see where we can still improve." With the exception of Juan Arango, who is still at the Copa America, the Borussia coach has a full squad to choose from. Pre-season has already shown that Favre intends to keep faith with the players who produced a fantastic second half of the season to maintain Borussia's top-flight status. Lukas Rupp is likely to be the only new face in the starting eleven.

Some 14,000 tickets have so far been sold for the game. The matchday ticket outlets will be open from 1330 CET and tickets can also be purchased from the Online Ticket Shop using the print@home service up to two hours before the kick-off. The official team presentation will take place inside the stadium at 1445 CET. After the game stadium announcer Torsten Knippertz will host the Postbank Fan Party behind the North Stand from at 1715 CET, with several Borussia players due to make an appearance on stage.