Dortmund-Villarreal: Bensebaini Suspended, BVB Missing Five Players

Borussia Dortmund will begin their Champions League campaign against Villarreal with five confirmed absences this Tuesday, 8 September at Signal Iduna Park. Algerian international Ramy Bensebaini is suspended, while Filippo Mané, Giannis Konstantelias, Emre Can, and Nico Schlotterbeck will also miss the match.

The German club confirmed that Bensebaini must serve a suspension carried over from the previous European campaign. Schlotterbeck is also suspended and is still recovering from an ankle injury. Emre Can and Konstantelias remain unavailable due to knee injuries.

The latest setback concerns Filippo Mané. The 21-year-old defender suffered a muscle injury during Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 victory at Hoffenheim and, according to Niko Kovac, is not expected to return before the next international break.

The Croatian coach can, however, count on Daniel Svensson and Konstantinos Karetsas. Both were rested during the last group training session, but Kovac confirmed they are fit and available to face Villarreal.

A Weakened BVB but Riding a Positive Momentum

Dortmund has had a solid start to the season in Germany. The Ruhr club has notably got off to a strong start in their Bundesliga campaign before stringing together positive results. Against Villarreal, BVB will aim to extend this momentum despite absences in their defensive line.

The continental context adds an extra layer of significance to this opening matchday of the group stage. Dortmund is among the clubs expected to make an impact in an edition where the draw has produced several major fixtures right from the start.

Villarreal, meanwhile, arrives seeking a revival after a difficult start to the season in La Liga. The Spanish club has yet to win a league match and comes off a 3-2 home defeat against Deportivo La Coruña.

Kickoff for Dortmund-Villarreal is scheduled for 20h00, Benin time.