Who will play in attack alongside Guirassy?

In the team’s first friendly of the summer a few days earlier, Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi had begun furthest forward. Both found the target in an 8-1 win, albeit against lower-league opposition, while Adeyemi was on the scoresheet once more against Lille.

Asked about his attacking options after the final whistle blew on Saturday, Kovač said: “We have several scenarios in mind. We want to give everyone game time. It’s important that every single player who plays also performs.

“And both Maxi [Beier] and Karim [Adeyemi] did that. This is BVB: there’s competition for places and everyone has to work for their spot.”

Guirassy looks certain to be the main man once more, having registered 21 Bundesliga goals last season, but Sebastién Haller is also an option having returned to the club from a loan spell in 2024/25.

Beier, Adeyemi, Brandt, Bellingham, Felix Nmecha and Julien Duranville are all options for Kovač in the supporting roles as they look for the goals that can drive a sustained push for silverware this season.

At the opposite end of the pitch, personnel issues appear to be somewhat clearer. With Nico Schlotterbeck still sidelined, the Dortmund coach has given 20-year-old centre-back Filippo Mané a chance in pre-season – and he has taken it with both hands.

Mané has started both of the team’s friendlies so far this summer alongside Waldemar Anton, and he has impressed his boss.

“You can see his potential,” Kovač said after the victory over Lille. “Unfortunately, he was injured a lot last season. Now we’re guiding him through pre-season training.