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Can Dortmund Overcome a Growing Injury List to Protect Their Top Spot?

Borussia Dortmund sit at the summit of the Bundesliga with a perfect haul of twelve points from four fixtures. Maintaining that standard on Friday against Werder Bremen presents a stern test of depth rather than momentum, as physical wear from the international break threatens to disrupt the league leaders at Signal Iduna Park.

What is at stake and how do both sides arrive?

Dortmund enter aiming to protect first place after sweeping their first four games. Werder Bremen travel with seven points from their opening quartet, holding eighth place on the back of two victories, one draw, and a single loss.

Since stumbling to a 4-1 defeat against SC Freiburg in their opener, Bremen have assembled a three-game run without a loss.

A full house of 81,365 spectators will pack the stands for the 20:30 local start, with around 8,000 away supporters traveling in support of Bremen. The hosts plan to take the field in their standard yellow tops, black shorts, and yellow socks, while the guests will turn out in a coral-red third uniform under referee Christian Dingert.

Who creates the main selection dilemmas?

Defensive choices dominate the agenda for Dortmund manager Niko Kovac. Julian Ryerson picked up an injury on national team duty and is considered improbable to take part, while Nico Schlotterbeck sustained a training knock with Germany that leaves his availability in question.

Midfielder Emre Can remains out on a long-term absence extending into 2027, joined on the sidelines by Giannis Konstantelias, muscle-injury victim Filippo Mane, and Justin Lerma. Bremen must configure their own back line without Moussa N'Diaye, who is unavailable due to a groin problem.

At the other end, Niclas Füllkrug commands attention. The Bremen forward arrives having found the net in each of his previous three league appearances.

Yet history offers caution: Füllkrug has failed to register a single goal across seven career appearances against Dortmund. Kovac acknowledged that the striker will naturally carry motivation against his former colleagues, but noted Dortmund must focus on handling all eleven opponents and enforcing their own approach.

The bottom line

Dortmund hold the league lead, but defensive absences give a recovering Bremen side a genuine window to test the league's pacesetters.

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