Predicted Borussia Dortmund lineup for TSV Schott Mainz clash

Borussia Dortmund will be in DFB-Pokal first round action on Saturday as they take on fourth division side TSV Schott Mainz.

Edin Terzic’s side will kick-off their 2023/24 season with a trip to fourth division side TSV Schott Mainz in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. Borussia Dortmund enjoyed a strong pre-season and will now look to begin their campaign with a straightforward win on Saturday.

The Black and Yellows do have a number of injury concerns ahead of the game. Four players have already been ruled out, in Gio Reyna, Julien Duranville, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, and Thomas Meunier. Karim Adeyemi and Felix Nmecha are also unlikely to feature on Saturday due to muscular problems. But Gregor Kobel and Nico Schlotterbeck appear to be fit again.

Here we take a look at how Borussia Dortmund could line up for their DFB-Pokal first round tie against TSV Schott Mainz.

Gregor Kobel should start in goal, having seemingly recovered from the injury he suffered during Borussia Dortmund’s US Tour.

In defence, Mats Hummels will partner Niklas Süle with Nico Schlotterbeck expected to start on the bench after missing a large part of pre-season. Ramy Bensebaini should make his Borussia Dortmund debut at left-back, while Julian Ryerson will likely start on the opposite flank.

Emre Can will captain the team from defensive midfield, with Marcel Sabitzer and Julian Brandt set to join him in the middle of the park. The former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig midfielder impressed during pre-season and will now look to set the tone on his competitive debut for Borussia Dortmund.

Marco Reus is expected to start in the front three in Karim Adeyemi’s absence. Donyell Malen and Sebastien Haller will join him up front. Both players ended last season in excellent form, and will now look to pick up where they left off.

Predicted Borussia Dortmund Starting XI vs TSV Schott Mainz: Kobel – Ryerson, Süle, Hummels, Bensebaini – Can, Sabitzer, Brandt – Malen, Reus – Haller