Expected Starting XI: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Borussia Dortmund

DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 29: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund looks on during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Sport-Club Freiburg at Signal Iduna Park on February 29, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

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DORTMUND, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 29: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Raphael Guerreiro of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Sport-Club Freiburg at Signal Iduna Park on February 29, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Teerse/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

Midfield: Achraf Hakimi, Emre Can, Axel Witsel, Raphael Guerreiro

Achraf Hakimi and Raphael Guerreiro have cemented their spot in the starting lineup with not only their current run of form but also the fact that there aren’t really any true alternatives to what they bring to the team. Dortmund don’t have a ton of players who naturally suit the wing-back role Favre has turned to recently.

One of Axel Witsel, Emre Can or Julian Brandt should be rested to start this one. Dortmund will lean on these three very heavily in the next 3 games and they are all exceptional players fully capable of filling the central midfield positions. Having all three of them available gives Favre the option of starting 2 different pairs each of the three games with the other coming on to relieve one of the starters to make sure everyone remains fresh.

Dortmund are going to win these games in the midfield, so making sure they aren’t physically drained by the second game will be crucial. With Julian Brandt just coming back from an injury I would think if Favre rests one of them it would be him in this one.

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