Nuri Şahin is expected to make several changes as Borussia Dortmund host Ruhr rivals Bochum in the Bundesliga tonight. This comes following last weekend’s humiliating 5-1 defeat against VfB Stuttgart last weekend which puts Die Schwarzgelben in eighth, five points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
As per Kicker, there could well be a formation change with Şahin opting for a back three, which would see Yan Couto awarded his first start, and Karim Adeyemi operating at wing-back with Nico Schlotterbeck switching to the left centre-back, as opposed to left-back.
Felix Nmecha was dealt a fresh injury blow last weekend and was replaced after 29 minutes, but the German midfielder should, at least, be fit enough to find a place on the bench. There’s also no place for Emre Can, which would see a midfield pivot of Pascal Groß and Marcel Sabitzer.
Post Champions League win against Club Brugge, Sabitzer expressed his discontent at his new role, playing more advanced under Şahin, but playing as the six or eight against Bochum tonight would suit the Austrian midfielder.
Şahin also hinted that Maximilian Beier could feature against Bochum after the German forward was an unused substitute against Stuttgart. The 21-year-old is yet to score for his new club, but could come in for Julian Brandt and operate behind Serhou Guirassy.
Predicted Borussia Dortmund XI vs Bochum
Gregor Kobel – Waldemar Anton, Niklas Süle, Nico Schlotterbeck – Yan Couto, Marcel Sabitzer, Pascal Groß, Karim Adeyemi – Maximilian Beier, Jamie Gittens – Serhou Guirassy
