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Borussia Dortmund Expected Starting XI vs Lazio: Reus and Haaland set to return

By Austin Weldon

SINSHEIM, GERMANY - OCTOBER 17: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund at PreZero-Arena on October 17, 2020 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
SINSHEIM, GERMANY - OCTOBER 17: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund at PreZero-Arena on October 17, 2020 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /
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Mats Hummels (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Mats Hummels (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

Center-Backs: Lukasz Piszczek/Thomas Meunier, Mats Hummels, Thomas Delaney

This is where the real problems begin for Lucien Favre. The biggest question will be if Lukasz Piszczek will be able to play with some version of sports goggles or not. He will travel with the team to Rome, but it remains to be seen if he will feature.

If he is able to play, Favre’s decisions get a little easier, with Piszczek slotting in beside Hummels and newly minted centre-back Thomas Delaney, who was thrown in the deep end against Hoffenheim.

However, if Piszczek is unable to play then Favre will have to get creative. The option that may make the most sense could be playing Thomas Meunier on the right side of a back three, along with Hummels and Delaney.

We did see Favre play him there early in pre-season, so he could be tempted to go with Meunier over a less experienced central defender. With only one true center-back, keeping a back three makes a lot more sense than switching to a back four. Having the third central defender adds another layer of much needed protection that a back four wouldn’t, especially against a goal-hungry striker in Ciro Immobile.