Borussia Dortmund are looking for redemption as they welcome Ajax on Wednesday. It will be an important game for the Black and Yellows, who were humiliated 4-0 in their trip to Amsterdam last month. However, they have secured wins over Arminia Bielefeld, VfB Stuttgart and 1.FC Koln since, and have had an imperious record at the Signal Iduna Park.
Predicted Borussia Dortmund Lineup Vs Ajax
Defence
Heading into this game, Dortmund coach Marco Rose has confirmed that there will be no new returnees, meaning the currently injured players like Raphael Guerreiro, Gio Reyna and Erling Haaland all remain on the sidelines.
Rose is likely to persist with the three-man backline that has given him a lot of success recently. As such, Marin Pongracic should retain his place in the team, starting on the left side of the defence, partnered by Manuel Akanji on the right and the highly experienced Mats Hummels in the middle.
Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was one of the bright sparks in this reverse fixture last month. The Swiss international recently registered his first cleansheet in the Bundesliga with his new club and is hoping for another one this midweek.
Midfield
With Mahmoud Dahoud, Emre Can and Giovanni Reyna out injured, Borussia Dortmund’s midfield options are limited. In fact, they may have to persist with Axel Witsel once again, with the Belgian hoping to produce a better performance in the holding midfield slot.
Jude Bellingham and Julian Brandt should continue in the two advanced roles, hoping to offer creativity going forward while playing a vital role in the second line of press. Dortmund do not have a single reliable alternative, so the onus will be on them to perform well and help their team secure a victory in this crunch fixture
Elsewhere, Thomas Meunier and Marius Wolf should occupy the wingback positions. They will have their work cut out up against the pacy Ajax wingers, who can cause problems on the counter.
Attack
Moving forward, Dortmund are without Erling Haaland, but Youssoufa Moukoko has recently recovered from an injury. He is expected to start on the bench, alongside Donyell Malen, which means the BVB attack could be spearheaded by Thorgan Hazard and Marco Reus.
Hazard has scored three goals in the last couple of matches. The Belgian’s aggression could be vital in helping Dortmund take on the opposition defence this midweek.
