Predicted Borussia Dortmund XI vs Zenit: Lucien Favre to stick with back four?

Defence: Thomas Meunier, Manuel Akanji, Mats Hummels, Raphael Guerreiro

After how well it worked against Schalke, we will likely see Lucien Favre stick with the back four formation for the game against Zenit. Thomas Meunier hasn’t impressed Dortmund fans too much this season but he actually had a solid game against Schalke on the weekend. Hopefully he can build some momentum off that performance and it helps him settle in as he needs to be better than he has been in the past. Raphael Guerreiro is an instant starter unless he needs to be rested, he’s one of Dortmund’s most talented players. Guerreiro’s transformation over the past 12 months has been incredible, going from an injury prone talent to one of the best left-backs in football.

Mats Hummels and Manuel Akanji will form the partnership in the heart of the defence for this one. Both centre-backs are coming off a derby game where they found the back of the net, not something that happens too often. With Zagadou out injured these two are the only true central defenders in the Dortmund lineup and will be counted on heavily in the coming weeks.