Dortmund Match Preview: Dortmund take on struggling Werder Bremen

Three matches left until the winter break and Dortmund are still undefeated in the Bundesliga. Next we take on Werder Bremen who despite having a strong start to the season have only won 1 game in their last 6 league matches, their lone win against bottom of the table Dusseldorf. In his presser Favre said Deleney has only just started practicing again on Thursday, but there are no other reported injuries. Also of note this game will be a big BVB celebration for Werder’s Nuri Sahin. Sahin is a Dortmund legend through and through and deserves a warm welcome from the home fans.

Dortmund’s game plan is simple, be just as aggressive as we have been all year. Werder have had a horrible defensive record in their last 6, the pressure Dortmund regularly puts on in the first 25 minutes could end the game early. Dortmund does have 3 games over the next 6 days, Werder and our next opponent Dusseldorf aren’t strong opponents so it’d be ideal to try some rotated sides. Favre has done well with the backline rotations this year, if there is one player I think must start is Raphael Guerreiro. The oft-injured star fullback has done well in his playing time so far, and while he has succeeded in the UCL he hasn’t been given the same time in Bundesliga play. For the midfield Witsel should play this game but his partner should be Dahoud, who also hasn’t been getting full time. These beat up games in the next few days Favre should defintely try Weigl and Dahoud in diffrent combinations with Witsel or Delaney to get a better sense of where they all fit going into the second half of the season. For the wings, Pulisic probably needs another good start to calm transfer stories and it’d be nice to see him paired with Sancho. upfront Phillip deserves a chance to be the pointman again, especially sicne Paco has struggled in a starting role so far.

As for who to look out for Werder its hard to say. If we get first part of the season Werder. Davy Klassen was an amazing transfers for Werder and has been part of the engine to drive this team. 22 year old Daniel Eggstien is starting to be one of those players you see highlight tapes of on youtube with the obnoxious music playing. He could be really dangerous when pressing and winning the ball in space. Also old timer and pain in BVBs side for a decade Claudio Pizzaro offers a dangerous attacking option off the bench. As for who else may start, we will probably see Nuri Sahin get playing time so he can get a proper sendoff from the home fans.

What do you think Dortmunds best starting lineup is for this first of 3 game stretch to end the year?