Mainz 05 vs Borussia Dortmund: Team News
By Tushar Bahl
A potentially tricky test awaits Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday as they make the trip to Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga.
The Bundesliga made its return in spectacular fashion over the weekend, and Borussia Dortmund began their new year with a thrilling 4-3 win over FC Augsburg. Next up for the Black and Yellows is a trip to Mainz 05, who are winless in five but could offer them with a potentially difficult test.
Borussia Dortmund will see this as a must-win game ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster clash against Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen. But they will need to deliver a much improved defensive performance after conceding three soft goals against Augsburg.
Marco Reus is a major doubt going into the game. The Borussia Dortmund captain has been dealing with an illness. Jude Bellingham will definitely miss the trip to Mainz. The England international is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season on Sunday. Thomas Meunier and Mateu Morey remain sidelined, but Emre Can is set to make his return to the squad.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Gio Reyna could start against Mainz after scoring off the bench on Sunday. Mahmoud Dahoud and Niklas Süle could also return to the starting XI.
Mainz 05 will be without the injured Jonathan Burkardt, Delano Burgzorg and Marlon Mustapha. Dominik Kohr will also miss the game through suspension. Goalkeeper Robin Zentner is a doubt due to back problems. Marcus Ingvartsen has scored seven goals in 12 appearances for Mainz this season, and he will be key for them once again on Wednesday.
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Mainz 05 vs Borussia Dortmund: Probable Starting Lineups
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel – Ryerson, Süle, Hummels, Guerreiro – Özcan, Dahoud – Reyna, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens – Moukoko
Mainz 05: Zentner – Fernandes, Hack, Caci – Widmer, Barreiro, Lee, Aaron – Barkok, Onisiwo – Ingvartsen