Borussia Dortmund continue their Bundesliga season away to Union Berlin on Saturday, aiming to arrest their downward spiral. Since returning from the international break, the BVB drew 2-2 with Werder Bremen after suffering a late collapse while Bodo/Glimt beat them 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday. During their clash at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, here are three issues to watch:
1) Can the BVB bounce back?
It's been a disappointing return to action for Dortmund post the international break, unable to win either of their clashes as their burgeoning momentum after six wins in a row has fallen flat in a space of just four days.
Whether it's recurring injuries, or tired legs from gruelling international schedule, things have just gone off the boil for them. Against both Werder Bremen and Bodo/Glimt, their attacking vanguard failed to click until substitutes came off the bench.
The alarm bells haven't gone off yet, but a third consecutive slip-up tomorrow sure may set them off.
2) Will Guirassy haunt Union Berlin again?
Serhou Guirassy loves playing against Union Berlin. They are one of his favorites sides in the Bundesliga in terms of goals, having put eight goals past the Irons Ones in his career. For context, he's only enjoyed a better run against Wolfsburg with nine strikes.
After netting twice with VfB Stuttgart, the Guinean continued to torment the Berlin side in Dortmund colors, famously bagging four goals in a memorable 6-0 vanquish in January 2025. A few months later, he struck twice more as Guirassy came back to haunt them.
It's worth noting that Guirassy hasn't scored for Dortmund in his last four consecutive appearances in all competitions. But the sight of Union Berlin might just unlock his inner predator and get him firing again.
3) What tweaks could Kovac make?
A few changes are expected in the lineup, particularly in defense with talismanic centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck coming back into the fold after being rested. He'd most likely walk straight into the XI, taking up the left side of their three-man backline with Ramy Bensebaini to drop to the bench once more.
Julian Ryerson, named among the substitutes on Wednesday, will be crucial in offering width and creating attacking opportunities with his inviting crosses from the right. Felix Nmecha too should return to the midfield after an encouraging cameo in Norway, joining his preferred partner Jobe Bellingham with Joey Veerman, still adjusting to life with BVB, dropping to the bench.
Serhou Guirassy could lead the line but questions remain over who'd be the two attacking midfielders operating behind him. Samuele Inacio had a terrible game against Bodo/Glimt. So he'd most likely make way for Ethan Nwaneri, with €30 million-man Konstantinos Karetsas likely to keep his place.
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