DFL confirms the use of five substitutions in the Bundesliga

Two days before the Bundesliga restarts, the DFL has confirmed that they will allow each team to make up to five substitutions a game.

Borussia Dortmund and the Bundesliga are set to get back in action and the DFL’s General Assembly met two days before the restart and confirmed some new information. The International Football Association Board presented the idea of five substitutions instead of the standard three earlier this week and the DFL confirmed that it would be put to use in the Bundesliga.

The other item the DFL confirmed is that they are willing to extend the Bundesliga beyond July 30th if it is required. As long as it legally allowed, the DFL will do everything in their power to finish the season, even if that means pushing out the end date.

Although the DFL has increased the substitution limit to five, the max amount of pauses each team can make will still only be three. Instead they can now substitute 5 players over those three pauses. The substitution changes are designed to help teams maintain their high level of play over the full 90 minutes with players likely lacking some fitness after the two month break.

Not only are players likely to tire quicker, they are much more prone to injury having been out of action for months. Lucien Favre spoke about the changes in his press conference Thursday.

"“I am happy that we can change five players during the game. It is a very good idea and it will be necessary.” Lucien Favre"

For Borussia Dortmund, the new rule change could help some youngsters get some much needed game time. Players like Raschl, Balerdi and Morey who are just a bit too far on the fringe to see the field under normal circumstances, could be brought on in games Dortmund have under control.