Dortmund backline worries grow as more defenders are sidelined

Borussia Dortmund is heading into an uncomfortable period at the back, with kicker reporting that the list of defensive absences keeps growing. Filippo Mané is the latest addition, further limiting the club’s options in the centre.

The outlet highlights that before the start of the Champions League, Dortmund’s selection for interior/centre-back roles is becoming smaller with each new setback. In practical terms, this reduces the tactical freedom of the coaching staff and makes squad rotation harder just as the team faces high-stakes matches.

Strain on the central defence

What kicker describes isn’t just a single missing player; it’s a broader defensive squeeze. With more personnel unavailable, the “chain” at the back is under pressure and the possible combinations in the middle of the pitch narrow.

Less room before Europe

For the European opener, the impact is twofold: the team will need to reshape its defensive setup with the available pairings, and the Champions League begins at a moment when the margin for manoeuvre is at its smallest. With only the headline extract available here, the exact duration and the full extent of each absence aren’t specified, but the direction of travel is clear—Dortmund have fewer options at centre back.