Borussia Dortmund kickstart their UEFA Champions League campaign on Wednesday when they play Besiktas at Vodafone Arena. After securing back to back wins over Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, Marco Rose will be eyeing for his first UCL victory with his new club and get the journey underway on a positive note.
Predicted Borussia Dortmund Lineup Vs Besiktas
Defence
Borussia Dortmund are missing a plethora of defensive options heading into this game. Dan-Axel Zagadou, Nico Schulz, Emre Can and Mateu Morey are all sidelined while the experienced Mats Hummels is a doubt as well, despite featuring as a late sub against Leverkusen.
It means Marco Rose might have to persist with the central defensive combination of Manuel Akanji and new signing Marin Pongracic, who enjoyed a rather impressive debut against Leverkusen. His height could be useful in dealing with the Besiktas attackers this midweek.
Elsewhere in defence, Dortmund have no option but to persist with Thomas Meunier at right-back while Raphael Guerreiro is a guaranteed starter on the opposite flank. The Portuguese international scored the all-important equaliser against Leverkusen on the weekend with a direct free-kick goal.
In goal, new signing Gregor Kobel is still looking for his first clean sheet for Borussia Dortmund since joining from VfB Stuttgart earlier in the summer.
Midfield
In midfield, Rose might want to continue with Axel Witsel as his experience at the highest level of football could be useful in this Champions League encounter. The Belgian international is expected to sit at the base of Dortmund’s 4-2-2-2 with Mahmoud Dahoud operating alongside.
Dahoud will be given more freedom in regards to his offensive movements and the same can be said for Jude Bellingham, who is expected to operate further upfront, alongside Marco Reus.
With Giovanni Reyna out, Julian Brandt is pushing for a place in the starting eleven. However, the former Leverkusen star may have to settle for a place on the bench after a mixed showing against his former club.
Attack
Brandt’s omission from the starting eleven could pave the way for Donyell Malen to earn a starting opportunity in the Dortmund frontline, alongside Erling Haaland.
It will be interesting to see how the new signing from PSV Eindhoven fares alongside the Norwegian superstar, who already has 20 Champions League goals to his name in just 16 appearances. He will be keen on extending that record this midweek.
