Borussia Dortmund Face Dire Defensive Crisis Ahead of New Bundesliga Season

Borussia Dortmund are set to enter the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign in a precarious state, as they are facing a critical shortage of fit center-backs due to a mounting injury crisis.

The latest blow came during their friendly against Juventus, where Niklas Süle suffered a calf muscle injury. Süle, who had just entered the match in the 19th minute as a substitute for the departing Mats Hummels, was forced off before halftime. This key defensive pillar is now expected to be sidelined for up to two months.

Süle’s absence is a severe setback for Dortmund’s defensive stability, compounded by his history of injuries – he missed 18 matches last season alone. The situation worsens with Nico Schlotterbeck still recovering from a meniscus tear sustained in April; likely not coming back until October.

Adding to the woes, Emre Can – often deployed as a flexible defensive option – is also undergoing rehabilitation for an adductor muscle injury.

This cascade of injuries leaves only Waldemar Anton and Filippo Mane as the senior team’s available center-backs. Unfortunately, Mane has recently faced injury issues himself and lacks significant top-level experience.

Niko Kovac forced into creative mode

This defensive crisis has placed head coach Niko Kovac in a difficult position, demanding emergency solutions. One option is shifting left-back Ramy Bensebaini centrally, leveraging his prior experience in that role for Algeria national team and may suit his physical attributes.

Another potential stopgap is utilizing central midfielder Pascal Groß as a temporary center-back. Groß is widely known for possessing strong pass ability and defensive discipline, making him a viable candidate for the role in the short term.

Dortmund could also turn to youth prospects like Yannik Lührs and Elias Benkara to fill the void. While this may offer them first-team opportunities, the club is likely under pressure to secure an experienced center-back to ensure defensive solidity.

This defensive fragility surfaces just as Dortmund prepare for crucial early-season fixtures. They face Essen in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 19th, followed by their Bundesliga opener against St. Pauli on August 23rd.

These opening matches will severely test Dortmund’s ability to rotate players and rely on young talent. With key defenders unavailable, Kovac and the boys must prove they possess the tactical flexibility and resilience expected of a top European club to overcome this challenging start.