"Good eleven" - Fans react as BVB unveil starting XI for Champions League clash against Sabah

Borussia Dortmund continue their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign away to Sabah FK tonight, aiming to pick themselves up from their last setback.

The BVB went down 1-0 to Bodo/Glimt in Norway on matchday two as the defeat left them languishing in 18th place of the League Phase table in the competition.

Niko Kovac's side have lost much of the momentum they'd built earlier on with six consecutive wins in all competitions as their attacking form has fizzled out.

As for Sabah FK, the Azeri side are making their Champions League debut and play just their second home match in the competition.

Dortmund have announced their lineup for the clash, which kick-off in less than an hour from now at the Baku Olympic Stadium, with a few surprise changes.

Carney Chukwuemeka starts for Dortmund for the first time this season, whereas Serhou Guirassy, Julian Ryerson and Felix Nmecha have been reinstated back into the lineup. Joey Veerman also starts.

Fans took to X to make their thoughts clear. Here are some of their reactions to BVB's starting lineup:

One BVB fan page hailed the decision to bench Joane Gadou:

"I think it’s a good thing they’re giving Gadou a break. Right now, he’s our best player alongside Anton—we don’t want him getting injured, too.

Aside from our "terror cell" on the wings, things are looking good."

Another user was perplexed not to see Kaua Prates in the matchday squad:

"Prates isn't even in the squad?"

This fan was confident of their winning chances after seeing Joey Veerman start for the BVB:

"When Veerman is on the pitch, our chances of winning matches increase. I’m curious to see when Kovač will finally realize that, too."

Global Football Pulse tweeted:

"Birthday boy Carney ready to shine on the biggest stage

Time to make it count!"

Another fan approved Kovac's lineup today:

"Good eleven, no complaints there!🔥"

One fan made a bold prediction around Carney Chukwuemeka:

"For his birthday, he’ll only end up injured for 4 weeks this time, instead of 8."

One X user sarcastically wrote:

"This is the first lineup that actually features football players."

One X user questioned Mathis Albert's absence from the squad:

"It’s a shame they don’t even give Albert a try—there’s nothing to lose, after all—but it’s good that Silva is playing, and fortunately Veerman is in the side too, rather than that anti-footballer Bellingham."

Another fan raved about BVB's marauding wing-backs, Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson:

"Ryerson and Svensson—our wing duo, feared the world over. At least the Sabitzer fetish has come to an end. I hope Carney can put in a convincing performance today. Veerman is also back in the starting lineup, along with Silva and Guirassy."

One X user tweeted:

"Chukwuemeka cost more than the entire Sabah squad is worth; today we’ll see once again just how stupid that was."

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