Borussia Dortmund’s domestic campaign gets underway on Monday evening with a short trip to neighbouring Rot-Weiss Essen. Coming into the game, Niko Kovac has a defensive injury crisis to contend with as Emre Can (Adductor), Nico Schlotterbeck (Meniscus) and Niklas Süle (Calf) are all sidelined for the foreseeable future.
That paves the way for Filippo Mané (20) to start in a back three alongside Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini – the Italian is yet to make his debut for die Schwarzgelben but is highly thought of by club officials, who extended the player’s contract in January.
Other than Dortmund’s defensive situation, Kovac is able to field his preferred line-up with Julien Duranville (Shoulder) the only notable absentee in attack. Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Groß should start in the double-pivot with Jobe Bellingham as the attack-minded player of a midfield three, with Karim Adeyemi complementing Serhou Guirassy in attack.
Likely Borussia Dortmund line-up vs Rot-Weiss Essen
Gregor Kobel – Filippo Mané, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini – Julian Ryerson, Marcel Sabitzer, Pascal Groß, Daniel Svensson – Jobe Bellingham – Karim Adeyemi, Serhou Guirassy.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
