League heavyweights Borussia Dortmund will look to bounce back from their poor run of Bundesliga form when they visit league strugglers Ingolstadt at the Audi Sportpark on Saturday.
After enjoying a dream debut season in the Bundesliga last term, managing a mid table finish thanks to Austrian Ralph Hasenhuttl, the hosts Ingolstadt are one of two teams in the division, yet to clinch a win this season along with fellow strugglers Hamburger. The departure of Hasenhuttl, has been a big factor of course.
The team is coming off a 2:1 loss to highflyers Cologne last week. Cologne netted their two goals early in the first half, courtesy of Anthony Modeste. Die Schanzer however did manage to put in a consolation goal, when Lukas Hinterseer converted a spot kick right at the depth.
Martin Kauczinski’s men have been pretty unlucky to say the least, this season. The team has an awful conversion rate, which is worse than what an average relegated team possesses. In hindsight, the team has actually been decent defensively but their poor luck has caused them to let in crucial goals this season.
Borussia Dortmund on the other hand, are not having a great season either. After seven matchdays, Thomas Tuchel’s men have already lost twice and drew a game last against Hertha Berlin last week. The Black and Yellows were considered as heavy title contenders after a busy transfer window but Die Borussen have so far, failed to live up to the expectations.
The team however, are coming on the back of a hard fought 2:1 win over Portuguese outfit Sporting in midweek in the Champions League. Two brilliant goals from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Julian Weigl were enough for the visitors before the home side managed a consolation goal from a Bruno Cesar free kick inside the box.
Team News
Thomas Tuchel’s injury issues will continue as key players are once again set to miss out the clash against Ingolstadt. The ever-growing injury problems even saw 18 year old Dzenis Burnic making a first team appearance against Sporting in midweek.
Good news is, Sven Bender and Neven Subotic are in the team training along with Erik Durm while Raphael Guerriero and Marcel Schmelzer remain injured until further notice. Marco Reus is also nearing his return on the field but is a huge doubt to feature against Ingolstadt. The same can be said for Andre Schurrle as well.
Ingolstadt head coach Martin Kauczinski, on the other hand, will not have such a long injury list. All of his players are fit to start against Dortmund apart from new signing Sony Kittel, who is in-development training.
Predicted Lineups
Borussia Dortmund: (4-1-4-1 formation) Roman Bürki – Lukasz Piszczek, Sokratis, Marc Bartra, Felix Passlack – Julian Weigl – Christian Pulisic, Mario Götze, Nuri Sahin, Ousmane Dembele – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Ingolstadt: (4-3-3 formation) Orjan Nyland – Tobias Levels, Marvin Matip, Marcel Tisserand, Markus Suttner – Roger – Pascal Groß, Almog Cohen – Matthew Leckie, Lukas Hinterseer – Dario Lezcano
