Schlotterbeck’s Surprise Absence Shakes Up Dortmund Ahead of Augsburg Clash
Borussia Dortmund’s preparations for their Bundesliga match against FC Augsburg have taken an unexpected twist. Just before the team’s departure, two major lineup surprises emerged — and both involve the heart of Dortmund’s defense.
The big headline centers around Nico Schlotterbeck. The 25-year-old national defender, who has been a constant presence in Dortmund’s backline, didn’t make the trip to Augsburg. His absence came as a shock to many fans, especially given his recent form. According to reports, Schlotterbeck is battling a mild cold and has also been granted a short recovery break. After returning from a serious meniscus injury earlier this year, he’s played nearly every minute for the team, except for a Champions League match against Bilbao. Most recently, he went the full 120 minutes during Dortmund’s dramatic DFB-Pokal victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, which ended 4–2 in a penalty shootout. So, it seems a bit of rest was due.
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But Schlotterbeck isn’t the only defensive blow for Dortmund. Niklas Süle, his usual backup, will also miss the game. Head coach Niko Kovač confirmed on Thursday that Süle has been dealing with a “thick toe” — not a major issue, but enough to rule him out for this fixture. This leaves Dortmund thin in defense, forcing Kovač to adjust once again.
Thankfully, there’s some good news for BVB supporters. Ramy Bensebaini, who missed the Frankfurt match due to back pain, is now fit and available. He’s expected to join young Chelsea loanee Aarón Anselmino and Waldemar Anton in a restructured three-man defense.
And perhaps the biggest positive? Captain Emre Can is finally back. After being sidelined for several months with a severe adductor injury — one that even kept him out of the Club World Cup in the United States — the 31-year-old is ready to return. While Kovač plans to ease him back slowly, Can will travel to Augsburg and could even be used as an emergency defensive option if needed.
Ahead of the match, Kovač spoke respectfully about their opponents: “Augsburg is a quality Bundesliga team. We need to give 120 percent focus. Our goal is to play our game and win.”
Even without Schlotterbeck and Süle, Dortmund will be determined to secure three crucial points. With their captain back in the mix and the coach’s tactical flexibility, it’s shaping up to be a test of both depth and resilience for the Black and Yellows.
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