DPA
Dusseldorf
Borussia Dortmund’s first planned training session at a camp in Austria fell victim to a water-logged pitch on Monday at the same location Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr left early due to the bad weather.
Heavy rain led to the adverse conditions in Saalfelden and did not allow the session which was planned for right after Dortmund’s arrival.
Saudi club Al Nassr with their Portuguese star Ronaldo cut their Saalfelden camp short by five days last week due to the adverse weather.
Better weather is forecast from mid-week onwards in Saalfelden, where Dortmund plan to stay until Saturday.
Dortmund are travelling with 30 players which include the injured trio of Nico Schlotterbeck, Julien Duranville and Emre Can.
“We are taking all players along to create a feeling of togetherness. It is important that we are together as a team,” Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said before departure from Germany.
Forward Sebastien Haller was absent due to injury but expected to join by mid-week.
Dortmund start the season on August 18 with a German Cup match at third division Rot-Weiss Essen, and their first Bundesliga match is five days later at St Pauli Hamburg.