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Opinion: Borussia Dortmund’s ideal XI for the 2023/24 season

By Eli Brand

DORTMUND - Borussia Dortmund players thank the supporters during the friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and Ajax Amsterdam at Signal Iduna Park on August 6, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. AP | Dutch Height | GERRIT OF COLOGNE (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
DORTMUND - Borussia Dortmund players thank the supporters during the friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and Ajax Amsterdam at Signal Iduna Park on August 6, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. AP | Dutch Height | GERRIT OF COLOGNE (Photo by ANP via Getty Images) /
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DORTMUND – Ramy Bensebaini of Borussia Dortmund during the friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and Ajax Amsterdam at Signal Iduna Park on August 6, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. AP | Dutch Height | GERRIT OF COLOGNE (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
DORTMUND – Ramy Bensebaini of Borussia Dortmund during the friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and Ajax Amsterdam at Signal Iduna Park on August 6, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. AP | Dutch Height | GERRIT OF COLOGNE (Photo by ANP via Getty Images) /

Left Back: Ramy Bensebaini

In terms of left back, Borussia Dortmund have replaced Raphael Guerreiro with Ramy Bensebaini. The Algerian left back is a defensive upgrade on his predecessor. Bensebaini should offer a different dimension and a different type of flexibility to Guerriero.

Bensabaini is a set piece threat but lacks the same creativity and ability to carry forward and infield in the manner of a modern inverted fullback. However, that is not a knock on Bensebaini. The Algerian defender could offer the ability to shift to a back three in possession with right back Wolf pushing higher up the pitch.

He is also no slouch himself with relatively average progressive passing and creative numbers in a side that finished in the bottom half and had inconsistencies throughout the campaign. These numbers should see an uptick in a more possession dominant side. Bensebaini completed over .5 more progressive passes per game in the campaigns where Munchengldbach finished in the top half. While Ryerson provides competition Bensebaini should provide an upgrade in most aspects.