Dortmund Starts Schlotterbeck Against Werder Bremen

Defensive captain Nico Schlotterbeck has returned to Borussia Dortmund's starting lineup for the Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park on Friday, October 9, 2026. Coach Niko Kovac selected the center back despite a recent ankle injury sustained while on international duty, with Dortmund seeking a fifth consecutive league victory and a club record.

According to Sport1, Schlotterbeck will play in Dortmund's three-man defense alongside Waldemar Anton and Joane Gadou. His inclusion follows medical approval, while Kovac expressed confidence that the defender could complete the match.

Kovac explained that the decision depended on both the player and the medical team approving his return. He said he would not have selected Schlotterbeck if either party had considered the risk excessive.

"He gave the green light, and the doctors also gave the green light. When both sides do that, a coach is happy to accept it," Kovac told Sky before kickoff. "If either one had said it was too risky, we would not have done it.

I am curious to see how long he can manage it. But I expect him to be able to play 90 minutes."

The starting lineup also features Marcel Sabitzer for the first time in Dortmund's Bundesliga campaign this season. According to Sport1, Sabitzer will partner Felix Nmecha in central midfield, while Serhou Guirassy leads the attack. Fabio Silva starts on the bench.

Dortmund's starting eleven consists of Gregor Kobel in goal, with Anton, Schlotterbeck and Gadou in defense. Maximilian Beier, Jobe Bellingham, Nmecha, Sabitzer and Daniel Svensson form the midfield, while Ethan Nwaneri and Guirassy lead the attack.

Werder Bremen named Mio Backhaus Hein in goal, with Olivier Deman, Marco Friedl, Amos Pieper and Arthur in defense. The midfield includes Regeer, Chuki and Isaac Schmidt Reis, while Romano Schmid Grüll, Eren Dinkci and Niclas Füllkrug lead the attack, according to the lineup published by Sport1.

Füllkrug is a notable starter because he faces his former club, Borussia Dortmund. Sport1 reported that the striker had scored four goals in five competitive appearances since returning to Werder Bremen. During the 2023-24 season, he scored 12 Bundesliga goals while playing for Dortmund.

Dinkci will partner Füllkrug in attack as Bremen attempt to extend their recent run of league results. According to Sport1, Werder had collected points in three consecutive Bundesliga matches and earned four points this season after falling behind in games.

Dortmund also entered the match with a strong record against Bremen. Sport1 reported that the hosts were unbeaten in seven consecutive competitive meetings, winning five of them. Bremen had won only one of their previous 15 Bundesliga encounters with Dortmund, although that victory came in August 2022, when Werder secured a 3-2 away win.

Dortmund had won six consecutive competitive matches before the fixture. A victory over Bremen would give the club five straight wins to open its Bundesliga season, matching its record for the best start to a league campaign.

The match was scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. local time on Friday, October 9, 2026. Sport1 reported that Sky held the television and livestream broadcast rights, with live text coverage available through Sport1.