The match against Rot-Weiss Essen proved to be a formidable challenge for Borussia Dortmund. Right from the start, BVB aimed to assert their dominance by deliberately kicking the ball out of play during the kickoff to set the tone for high pressing.

Niko Kovac's side were made to work for their triumph over third-tier opposition, with the victory coming at a cost after a nasty-looking injury to Yan Couto late on