How Borussia Dortmund could line up this season with Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho leading the line
By Tushar Bahl
Left Centre Back: Manuel Akanji
It will be interesting to see who gets the nod to start alongside Hummels and Can/Piszczek, especially if Borussia Dortmund play with a back four. Manuel Akanji is coming off a hugely disappointing campaign, although he remains an important player for Lucien Favre. Dan Axel Zagadou was excellent last season, but it remains to be seen just how long he will be out for following his latest knee injury. Lukasz Piszczek adapted to playing at centre back really well, but that was in a back three.
Unless Zagadou makes a quick recovery from his injury, it will likely be Manuel Akanji who lines up at left centre back, at least for the start of the season. His high profile mistakes in the first half of last season proved to be very damaging for Borussia Dortmund. So he will have to be on his game right from the start of the new campaign if he wants to win back the fans’ confidence.
Borussia Dortmund only have three natural centre-backs in their ranks. While both Lukasz Piszczek and Emre Can are capable of playing in that role, they’d undoubtedly feel more comfortable playing in a back three. Although the same could be said for Akanji, Zagadou and Hummels as well.