BVB 2-2 Roma: Dybala shines as Molina debuts in Dortmund friendly
Quick summary
Borussia Dortmund drew 2-2 with Roma in a pre-season friendly, with Paulo Dybala impressing and new signing Molina making his debut.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRoma surged into an early 2-0 lead away to Borussia Dortmund with Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante, but were pegged back 2-2 and Nahuel Molina made his debut.
The summer had been largely dismal, including heavy defeats to Cardiff City and Brighton , so Gian Piero Gasperini wanted to see a very different attitude in their last test.
Wesley was injured and new signing Nahuel Molina on the bench, but otherwise it was a strong starting XI in Dortmund . The hosts started Italy internationals Luca Reggiani and Samuele Inacio.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 15: Samuele Inacio of Borussia Dortmund is challenged by Bryan Cristante (L) and Emanuele Lulli of AS Roma (R) during the pre-season friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma at Signal Iduna Park on August 15, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) It took only a handful of minutes for Roma to take the lead at Signal Iduna Park, as an initial cross from the right was charged down, allowing Dybala to drill home the rebound from a tricky angle.
They added a second from a Dybala corner, with Bryan Cristante peeling away from his marker for a glancing header at the near top corner from six yards.
Borussia Dortmund pulled one back when a sweeping Konstantinos Karetsas cross was pulled back from the by-line for Julian Ryerson to volley in.
They restored parity when defenders lost sight of Serhou Guirassy on a free kick into the six-yard box.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 15: Manu Kone of AS Roma is challenged by Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund during the pre-season friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma at Signal Iduna Park on August 15, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) It should’ve been 2-3 moments later when Donyell Malen got down the right and pulled across the face of goal, but Devyne Rensch stumbled for what was meant to be a tap-in and prodded it wide.
Karetsas smacked a ferocious strike onto the top of the crossbar after the restart, then Mile Svilar rushed off his line to deny the same player after a Matias Soulé error.
Molina came on for his debut and Roma wasted good chances to win it with Gregor Kobel’s save on Soulé, and Santiago Castro failing to make the most of an inspired Dybala pass.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 15: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma at Signal Iduna Park on August 15, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) Castro again couldn’t quite get on the end of a Robinio Vaz cross, and Svilar rushed off his line to deny Fabio Silva, while Dybala’s free kick was a tricky one for Kobel.
Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Roma Dybala 4 (R), Cristante 9 (R), Ryerson 12 (B), Guirassy 28 (B)
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Gadou, Mane, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Karetsas (Sabitzer 60), Inacio (Albert 60); Guirassy (Fabio Silva 60)
Roma: Svilar (Gollini 86); Mancini (Reale 75), Ndicka (Ziolkowski 86), Hermoso (Koulierakis 60), Lulli (Ghilardi 75), Cristante, El Aynaoui (Koné 60), Rensch (Molina 60); Dybala (Mannini 86), Soulé (Vaz 75); Malen (Castro 60)
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What happened
Borussia Dortmund and Roma played out a 2-2 draw in a pre-season friendly match. Paulo Dybala delivered a standout performance for the Italian side, while new signing Molina made his debut. The result is part of both clubs' pre-season preparations ahead of their respective domestic campaigns. As a friendly, the result carries no competitive significance but offers tactical and fitness insights.
Chance analysis
Pre-season friendlies like this are primarily valuable for assessing player fitness, tactical shape, and new signings rather than the result itself. Dybala's continued influence is a positive signal for Roma's attacking output, while Molina's debut suggests he will be integrated into the squad promptly. For prediction systems, friendlies should be treated as low-signal data points; upcoming competitive form will be far more informative than this draw.
Minimal competitive impact; positive early signs for Dybala and Roma attacking cohesion, and Molina's debut hints at his upcoming role in the squad.
Treat this friendly result as low-signal noise; Dybala's form is mildly positive for Roma attack projections but carry minimal weight for competitive predictions.