Borussia Dortmund faces SV Elversberg on Saturday at 15:30 (Sky), marking the first encounter between sporting director Ole Book and his former employer since his March move to the BVB.
Book spent nine years at Elversberg in various roles before joining Dortmund. When asked about the reunion, he said: “Natürlich habe ich eine Geschichte mit Elversberg und mag die Menschen dort sehr,” but emphasized the match’s competitive importance. “Es ist ein Bundesligaspiel gegen einen guten Gegner vor 81.365 Zuschauern.”
The fixture takes place alongside Bayern Munich’s match at Mainz, with both teams currently level on points. The two clubs will compete for table leadership on the final matchday before the international break.
Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has made three starting lineup changes following the 2:1 Champions League win over Real Betis Sevilla. Joane Gadou, Konstantinos Karetsas, and Carney Chukwuemeka start in place of Ramy Bensebaini and Julian Ryerson (both on the bench) and Serhou Guirassy, who suffered a strain. Kovac will deploy a four-man defensive line.
Guirassy was substituted during Wednesday’s match against Betis and has scored eight goals in competitive matches this season. Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, recently recovered from illness, has returned to training and will start on the bench.
Jobe Bellingham, selected for England’s national team for the first time by Thomas Tuchel, features in the starting XI. Kovac praised the 21-year-old’s development: “Die Entwicklung, die er genommen hat, ist eine sehr große. Er hat sehr viel investiert, er ist sehr fleißig.” The manager believes Bellingham can become a “very, very large player” based on his attitude and work ethic.
Key facts
- Ole Book faces SV Elversberg for the first time since joining Dortmund in March after nine years at the club
- Serhou Guirassy misses the match due to a strain but has eight goals in competitive play this season
- Dortmund and Bayern Munich are level on points ahead of Saturday’s matches
- Manager Niko Kovac will use a four-man defensive line
- Jobe Bellingham, recently called up to England’s national team, starts for Dortmund