Borussia Dortmund host FC Köln in their opening game of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season as they look to go one better this campaign after missing out on the Meisterschale on the final day last season.
Heading into the season, Marco Reus relinquished his captain duties. Emre Can has seen been made captain and he is expected to start alongside Marcel Sabitzer. Felix Nmecha returned to training but is likely to start on the bench, while Karim Adeyemi could also be an option but is also likely to find a place on the bench following a recent muscular injury. That means starts for Julian Brandt and Donyell Malen in the wide areas.
Gregor Kobel should remain in goal with the back four unchanged despite Niklas Süle being replaced last weekend against Schott Mainz because of injury. He should start alongside Mats Hummels.
Marius Wolf, Thorgan Hazard and Youssoufa Moukoko should also be options off the bench for Edin Terzić. However, this game will come too soon for Gio Reyna who is absent with a leg injury, while Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has just returned to training, and is unlikely to make the squad.
Predicted Borussia Dortmund XI vs Köln
Gregor Kobel – Julian Ryerson, Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels, Ramy Bensebaini – Emre Can, Marcel Sabitzer – Donyell Malen, Marco Reus, Julian Brandt – Sébastien Haller.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
