Highlights
D. Aytekin
Full time! Dortmund 1-0 Cologne
© Getty Images
Full-time
90'
+ 4
Go, go gadget leg!
Hummels shows all his experience - and the benefits of daily yoga - to cut out a dangerous-looking final pass from Finkgräfe. Cologne are not out of this yet!
90'
+ 2
90'
+ 1
Time added on
Fresh legs for Cologne as we head into the first of six added minutes. Carstensen's worked his socks off - definitely one to watch, particularly for Fantasy Managers. Meanwhile, Malen goes into the book for a rash challenge on Martel.
90'
+ 1
Substitution
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
89'
Dortmund lead!
Belated lift-off at the Signal Iduna Park. Nmecha flicks on Brandt's near-post corner, and there's Malen to scuff the ball over a defender and into the corner.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
85'
Final roll of the dice
Former Cologne man Wolf and Hazard, who spent time on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season, are on for Dortmund. Pace, directness and probably the kitchen sink...
84'
Substitution
83'
Substitution
81'
Kobel's wrath
The Dortmund defence allow Adamyan to get off a shot from 16 yards. It's a routine save in the end for Kobel, but he's lived with his teammates. They're living very dangerously indeed.
78'
Free header!
Cologne might not get a better chance than this! Carstensen is the catalyst once more, getting the better of Bensebaini and hanging up a cross towards the back post. Adamyan is completely unmarked, but his downward header is too close to Kobel, who blocks with his feet.
76'
Ljubicic!
Cologne attack up the Dortmund right with Carstensen. The ensuing cross is touched back to Ljubicic, who rifles narrowly wide of the upright from 18 yards. Another warning shot for the hosts!
75'
Expected goals
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.89
0.57
0
Goals
70'
Adeyemi on
The Bundesliga's fastest player and 2022/23 Rookie of the Season, Karim Adeyemi, comes on in place of Reus. Can he provide the spark BVB have been lacking?
69'
Substitution
66'
Double change
Cologne's captain also gets the hook, Kainz heading off for Olesen. Waldschmidt is the other change, replaced by 19-year-old Bundesliga debutant Max Finkgräfe.
66'
Substitution
66'
Substitution
64'
Hummels!
Brandt with another teasing set-piece delivery. It goes all the way through to the back post for Hummels, who's at full stretch and toes over in front of Schwäbe. Difficult one!
59'
Plan B
Dortmund captain Can is replaced by newcomer Nmecha. Teenager Moukoko is also on, with Haller making way. The hosts just haven't been able to get their No.9 into the game.
59'
Substitution
59'
Substitution
57'
Reus!
Dortmund's turn to threaten now as Haller lets Brandt's in-field pass run for Reus. The BVB legend takes aim from just inside the box, stinging the outstretched right arm of Schwäbe. The flag then goes up for an earlier offside.
55'
Big chance!
Carstensen gets the better of Bensebaini. He slides a dangerous pass into the six-yard box for Adamyan, forcing the sprawling Kobel into a big, big save.
53'
End of the road for Selke
Selke, who was a doubt before the game, can't continue. Adamyan's his replacement in the lone striker's role.
52'
Substitution
50'
Half chance
Kainz with an out-swinging corner for Cologne. Martel's first to it, heading wide under pressure from Hummels. Encouraging for the Billy Goats.
46'
Here we go again!
No changes at the break as Cologne get the second 45 under way. No goalless draws yet on the opening weekend of 2023/24...
Kick-off!
Half-time! Dortmund 0-0 Cologne
© Imago
Half-time
43'
No way through
Reus leads the charge as Dortmund try to hit Cologne on the counter. It's helped on to Can in the middle of the pitch, but Chabot slides in to make a crucial intervention. BVB had runners left, right and through the middle.
39'
Pot shot
Running unchecked into Dortmund territory, Ljubicic sends a long-range effort into row M. That's now five Cologne attempts to BVB's seven, including the clearest opening of what's been an extremely tight contest.
35'
Win probability
Win probability
0'
68.1 %
36'
61.3 %
31'
Close!
Dortmund go close from Brandt's ensuing corner. Reus flicks it on for Hummels, who's inches away from turning it home at the back post. The beast has awoken!
30'
Brandt chance!
Dortmund finally test Schwäbe. Can is the instigator with a quick vertical pass into the feet of Brandt. He rolls his marker and fires across goal from inside the area, but it's beaten away by Cologne's last line of defence. Superb goalkeeping!
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
28'
Hummels the quarterback
Much more like it from Dortmund as Hummels picks out Ryerson with a fabulous diagonal pass. The cross is whipped in with venom, but Cologne get it clear.
Talking tactics
© Imago
20'
No clear-cut chances yet
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.05
0.23
0
Goals
16'
Off the bar!
Cologne almost forge ahead with their first effort on goal. Waldschmidt and Ljubicic are at the heart of a rapid transition that ends with Selke's 18-yard strike crashing against the top of the crossbar via Süle's outstretched leg. Kobel was rooted to the spot.
13'
Pass and move
Dortmund come again up the left-hand side with Brandt. Reus takes it on and tries to find Malen in a central position, but overcooks his attempted pass into the feet of the Dutchman and the ball ricochets out for a goal-kick.
10'
Warning shot
Cute play from Reus in off the left. He touches it off for Sabitzer, whose rising drive cannons back off a red shirt. The Austrian sure can hit them from range...
10'
Dortmund in charge
Possession (%)
7822
10'
7'
Malen threat
Dortmund make in-roads in the final third as Malen drives into the box. He's blocked off and goes to ground, but the referee is unmoved.
6'
Flying challenge
Paqarada gets a talking-to after going in very late on Süle. He's lucky he didn't catch the Dortmund defender. Cologne have clearly been drilled to press hard and high.
3'
Possession game
It's all Dortmund in the opening exchanges. Very assured stuff from Terzic's men. Cologne have everyone bar Selke back in their own half.
1'
Here we go!
Dortmund get the ball rolling. Twenty-seven goals across six Matchday 1 fixtures so far...
Kick-off!
Cup warm-up
BVB and Cologne have already played competitive football this season. The Black-Yellows beat minnows Schott Mainz 6-1 in the opening round of the DFB Cup last weekend, whilst Cologne overcame Bundesliga 2's Osnabrück after extra-time.
You'll Never Walk Alone
A sea of black and yellow, one of football's greatest anthems - only in Dortmund. What a sight, what a sound. Will BVB's fabled 12th man have something to celebrate today?
4:12
Watch: Painful memories
Steffen's way
"We'll head there to try and win," affirmed Cologne's Baumgart in his pre-match press conference. "We did that last year and we conceded six. I'm looking forward to an emotional game, both want to start the season well. We want to play our way no matter where we are. We'll attack, press. Dortmund will do that too."
1:09
Watch: Dortmund in the house!
Around the grounds
Bayern are among the big winners so far this weekend, the defending champions having put four past Bremen on Friday. Stuttgart went one better in 5-0 table-topping romp against Bochum, while Leverkusen edged a five-goal thriller with title contenders Leipzig. How will Dortmund respond?
More on those teams
No surprises in the Dortmund team as Süle shakes off a knock to start. New boys Bensebaini and Sabitzer are also involved from the off, as is Marco Reus, who stepped down as captain during the summer. Karim Adeyemi is only fit enough for a place on the bench. As for Cologne, summer signings Leart Paqarada, Rasmus Carstensen and Luca Waldschmidt all get the nod.
Dortmund starting XI
Kobel - Ryerson, Süle, Hummels, Bensebaini - Sabitzer, Can (c) - Malen, Reus, Brandt - Haller
Dortmund subs
Meyer, Schlotterbeck, Özcan, Nmecha, Hazard, Wolf, Moukoko, Adeyemi, Bynoe-Gittens
Cologne starting XI
Schwäbe - Schmitz, Hübers, Chabot, Paqarada - Carstensen, Martel - Ljubicic, Waldschmidt, Kainz (c) - Selke
Cologne subs
Pentke, Pedersen, Kilian, Finkgräfe, Huseinbasic, Olesen, Christensen, Limnios, Adamyan
Read: Edin Terzic exclusive
© DFL
2:00
Watch: The Bundesliga is back!
Summer transfers - Dortmund
© Getty Images
Summer transfers - Cologne
Cologne have brought in left-back Leart Paqarada from St. Pauli to fill the void left by Jonas Hector's retirement at the end of last season. Ellyes Skhiri - the Billy Goats' seven-goal top scorer in 2022/23 - has also left the club, switching to Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt, but there are some new faces in right-back Rasmus Carstensen, midfielder Jacob Christensen and former Germany international Luca Waldschmidt. Florian Kainz has inherited the captain's armband from club legend Hector.
Tricky hunting ground
Cologne have returned home from Dortmund without scoring on 20 occasions, more than against any other team.
1:46
Watch: Sabitzer's skills
Wing wizards
Cologne have scored 32 goals from crosses from out wide over the last two seasons under Baumgart, putting them well clear at the top of that particular category.
2:03
Watch: Previous meeting - Dortmund 6-1 Cologne
Uphill battle
Cologne have only won one of their 23 away games in Dortmund over the last 32 years, earning a 2-1 success in November 2020.
Home fortress
Edin Terzic's men are unbeaten in 15 games on home turf in the league, winning 11 of their last 12.
Silver lining
One admittedly meager consolation for BVB after losing out on the title will be that they were (and still are) the best Bundesliga team in the 2023 calendar year, taking 46 of a possible 57 points from 19 games.
0:30
Watch: Get ready for Dortmund vs. Cologne!
1:39