Sat Aug 02 15:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Dortmund Aim to Continue Pre-Season Form Against Lille After Siegen Thrashing

**Iserlohn, Germany** – Borussia Dortmund will look to build on their dominant 8-1 victory over Sportfreunde Siegen when they face French side Lille in a pre-season friendly in Iserlohn on Saturday. The match offers a significantly tougher test for Niko Kovač’s side, who are preparing for the upcoming season after their participation in the recent FIFA Club World Cup in the USA.

Dortmund previously faced Lille in the Champions League Round of 16 last season, drawing 1-1 at home before securing a 2-1 victory in the return leg, with goals from Emre Can and Maximilian Beier sealing their progression.

Despite the early stage of pre-season, Dortmund appear to be in good form, demonstrated by their comprehensive win against Siegen. An impressive seven different players found the net, including a brace from Julian Brandt and goals from Elias Benkara, Yan Couto, Marcel Sabitzer, Karim Adeyemi, Maximilian Beier, and Ayman Azhil.

New signing Jobe Bellingham is expected to feature again after impressing during the Club World Cup, where he scored a goal and provided an assist in four appearances.

Lille, coached by Bruno Génésio, finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season and will not be participating in the Champions League this term. They have experienced mixed fortunes in pre-season, winning their first two friendlies before losing 3-2 to Como in their most recent outing. Former Dortmund defender Thomas Meunier is likely to start for the French side, and veteran striker Olivier Giroud, recently signed from Los Angeles FC, could also feature.

Dortmund will be without Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can and Julien Duranville due to injury. The predicted line-up includes Meyer in goal, a defence of Mané, Anton, and Bensebaini, Ryerson, Groß, Bellingham, Brandt, and Svensson in midfield, and Beier and Adeyemi leading the attack.

The match presents a valuable opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their squads and tactics ahead of their respective league campaigns.

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