Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea

Chicago’s Soldier Field forms the backdrop for a handsomely-looking pre-season encounter between Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea.

Borussia Dortmund’s pre-season has been an utter success despite a late heartache in last season’s Bundesliga title race derailed Edin Terzic’s spirits as a 2-2 final-day draw against Mainz 05 condemned his side to another runner-up finish behind Bayern Munich. However, the German giants have gone from strength to strength this summer, winning all five exhibition matches by an aggregate score of 21-5! After a 6-0 demolition of USL Championship outfit San Diego Royal in their first outing in the United States, ‘Die Borussen’ bounced back from an early deficit to beat Manchester United 3-2 in Las Vegas. Both those games saw Dortmund score precisely two first-half goals, highlighting the possibility of a goal-glutted opening 45 minutes of play.

Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino’s managerial stint at Chelsea has been off to a flying start. The Argentine oversaw a 5-0 thumping over lower-league Wrexham in his first game in charge before an enthralling 4-3 win over last season’s Premier League surprise package Brighton & Hove Albion. While a 1-1 draw against high-flying Newcastle United last week threatened to hinder Chelsea’s momentum, two unanswered first-half goals fired them to a 2-0 win over Fulham at the weekend, maintaining Pochettino’s 100% unbeaten ratio at the helm. Delivering action from the get-go, the Londoners have got on the scoresheet in all four friendly fixtures under the Argentine manager, underscoring the potential for a quick-fire start.