Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Will any defense be played?
In a special game to begin this new Bundesliga season, Leverkusen travel to Signal Iduna Park to face table rivals Dortmund.
| Mats Hummels. | Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Borussia Dortmund
If you don't like defense, this game's probably for you.
In the last 11 meetings between these two clubs, an average of 5.18 goals have been recorded per game. Expect another fiery contest here, as Dortmund get ready to show off some of their new signings. Donyell Malen and Karim Adeyemi already featured as a dangerous duo in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, while Nico Schlotterbeck impressed with calmness at the back.
Mats Hummels is set to start in the place of injured Niklas Sule and Youssoufa Moukoko should play from the off as the no. 9. This is a huge eye-opening test for Edin Terzic, as the squad are facing injury issues before the season has even started.
Terzic stated that, "It's going to be a special day. On Saturday it finally starts again in front of a full house. It's a very special atmosphere that this stadium can create. That's what makes this club what it is."
If the recent matches between these teams are any indicator. Look for goals, goals and oh. More goals.
Team News
Salih Ozcan, Gio Reyna and Mateu Morey are likely to be available after their respective injuries. Felix Passlack, Tom Rothe and Niklas Sule will not be able to play. Sebastien Haller is unfortunately out for the foreseeable future due to a cancerous tumor. Everyone in the world of football is wishing him a speedy recovery.
Bayer Leverkusen
After the difficult loss to Elversberg in the DFB-Pokal last weekend, Gerardo Seoane added that, "There is the possibility to make two or three changes or the possibility to make eight changes...We will not turn everything upside down now."
Leverkusen are expected to stick with their scary front trio of Adam Hlozek, Patrik Schick and Moussa Diary, but there's a chance Jonathan Tah could see a return to the starting lineup. They will also have veterans Charles Aranguiz and Robert Andrich controlling play in the midfield without wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
Seoane's side have big expectations going into year two. There couldn't be a more enticing game to kick things off.
Team News
Wirtz is still out due to his ACL injury and Amine Adli is questionable for the contest. Hlozek is likely to make his first start in his opening game in the Bundesliga.