Dortmund Names Starting XI for Champions League Clash With Sabah

Borussia Dortmund has announced its starting lineup for the UEFA Champions League match against Sabah FK at Baku Olympic Stadium, with Niko Kovac making several changes as his team looks to recover from a recent defeat. The October 20, 2026, fixture gives Dortmund an opportunity to regain momentum against the Azerbaijani side, which is making its Champions League debut.

According to the lineup announcement reported by LiveScore, Carney Chukwuemeka will make his first start of the 2026-27 season. Serhou Guirassy, Julian Ryerson and Felix Nmecha also return to the starting XI, while Joey Veerman is included from the beginning.

Dortmund enters the match after losing 1-0 to Bodo/Glimt in Norway on the competition's second matchday. That result left the German club 18th in the Champions League league-phase table, following a run of six consecutive victories across all competitions earlier in the season.

Sabah FK, meanwhile, is competing in the Champions League for the first time and is preparing for only its second home match in the competition. The fixture places Dortmund against a side making its debut on the European stage.

Supporters on X responded to Dortmund's selection decisions, with several welcoming the changes and the return of key players. One BVB fan account supported the decision to leave Joane Gadou out of the starting lineup.

"I think it’s a good thing they’re giving Gadou a break. Right now, he’s our best player alongside Anton—we don’t want him getting injured, too. Aside from our "terror cell" on the wings, things are looking good."

Another supporter questioned the absence of Kaua Prates from the matchday squad, while a separate fan expressed confidence in the team's prospects following Veerman's inclusion.

"When Veerman is on the pitch, our chances of winning matches increase. I’m curious to see when Kovač will finally realize that, too."

Global Football Pulse also reacted to the selection, posting a brief message encouraging Dortmund to capitalize on the opportunity.

"Time to make it count!"

Chukwuemeka's return attracted further attention from supporters, including one fan who made a sarcastic prediction about the midfielder's fitness on his birthday.

"For his birthday, he’ll only end up injured for 4 weeks this time, instead of 8."

Another X user praised the overall selection in similarly sarcastic terms, suggesting the lineup represented an improvement on previous choices.

"This is the first lineup that actually features football players."

Mathis Albert's omission also prompted criticism from a supporter who wanted the young player to receive an opportunity. The same fan welcomed Silva's involvement and Veerman's inclusion while criticizing Jude Bellingham.

"It’s a shame they don’t even give Albert a try—there’s nothing to lose, after all—but it’s good that Silva is playing, and fortunately Veerman is in the side too, rather than that anti-footballer Bellingham."

Other supporters highlighted the selection of wing-backs Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson, alongside the returns of Veerman, Silva and Guirassy. One fan also questioned the financial value of signing Chukwuemeka compared with the combined value of the Sabah squad.

"Ryerson and Svensson—our wing duo, feared the world over. At least the Sabitzer fetish has come to an end. I hope Carney can put in a convincing performance today. Veerman is also back in the starting lineup, along with Silva and Guirassy."

Another supporter focused on the reported difference in squad valuations between the clubs when assessing Chukwuemeka's transfer.

"Chukwuemeka cost more than the entire Sabah squad is worth; today we’ll see once again just how stupid that was."