How Borussia Dortmund Will Line Up Against Bayern Munich

Borussia Dortmund play host to Bayern Munich on Saturday in what until recently promised to be the Bundesliga's match of the season. Currently ranked as the top two teams in the German first division, the 2013 Champions League finalists have been in fine domestic form this season. But a blight of injuries has left the BVB squad decimated as they prepare to take on an undefeated Bayern side who have dropped points just twice this season.

BVB coach Juergen Klopp will have to get creative with his squad selection, using several players out of their natural positions. Here is their most likely starting XI.

Goalkeeper: Roman Weidenfeller

Roman Weidenfeller is the only member of Dortmund's best back five who is fit to play on Saturday. The veteran goalkeeper earned his first international cap against England on Tuesday and not only avoided injury but also kept a clean sheet. England didn't force a single save from the 33-year-old, however, and Weidenfeller surely will come under more pressure against Bayern.

Right-Back: Kevin Grosskreutz

Lukasz Piszczek returned to action Tuesday with a 30-minute outing in a friendly match with Paderborn, but the Poland international is still not ready to return to competitive action in what would be his first match since May. As such, Kevin Grosskreutz will continue to deputize in the right-back position he has occupied all season long.

Centre-Back: Sokratis Papastathopoulos

Neven Subotic tore his posterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in Dortmund's last match, meaning Sokratis Papastathopoulos is set to be first choice in his place for the rest of the season. The Greek is BVB's only available centre-back with more than two minutes of Bundesliga experience and will need to be at his best if Dortmund are to avoid a painful evening on Saturday.

Centre-Back: Manuel Friedrich

Following the injury to Subotic, Klopp welcomed free agent Manuel Friedrich to train with Dortmund. And although the 34-year-old seemed to catch the BVB centre-back injury bug before officially signing (taking a knock in a Tuesday friendly match), he is likely to start on Saturday. Friedrich will be short of fitness, but 18-year-old Marian Sarr and 19-year-old Koray Gunter have a combined two minutes of Bundesliga experience, and both have been set back by injuries and suspensions that have limited their play over the last couple of months. A third option is Sebastian Kehl, but the veteran midfielder has not played a single minute since the beginning of September and is no more fit than Friedrich.

Left-Back: Erik Durm

Marcel Schmelzer suffered a muscular tear during the England match, and, for the second time this season, the left-back is set to be sidelined for several weeks. In his place will start Erik Durm, the ex-Mainz II striker whom Klopp has converted to left-back. The 21-year-old is a tireless runner who has deputized well before, but he will face an enormous challenge against Bayern, especially as he returns from a knee injury.

Defensive Midfield: Sven Bender

With such glaring question marks over the back four, Sven Bender will need to be at his very best on Saturday, cutting off the Bayern attack before it can test the makeshift Dortmund defense. There is no better player for the role than the 24-year-old, who closes down space as well as any other in the game. Bender is therefore a lock in midfield, especially given the minimal depth behind him.

Defensive Midfield: Nuri Sahin

Deputizing for Ilkay Gundogan since mid-August, Nuri Sahin's form has improved progressively throughout the fall campaign. The 25-year-old was a hero against Bayern during the 2010-11 season, leading Dortmund to two victories against the Bavarians. Dortmund may head into Saturday's match understaffed, but Sahin plays in a position of particular importance and has an abundance of class. If he plays at his best, the hosts may stand a chance.

Right Wing: Jakub Blaszczykowski

With Dortmund set to use a makeshift back four, Jakub Blaszczykowski is sure to start on the right wing. The Poland international, who has competed with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a starting spot all season long, is the more defensively reliable player of the two, and his ability to influence the midfield game will be preferred to Aubameyang's pace and shooting ability.

Central Attacking Midfield: Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Henrikh Mkhitaryan's first season at Dortmund has been hit-or-miss thus far. The Armenia international has been brilliant at times but completely silent on other occasions. With BVB thin in many positions and needing a touch of class in advanced midfield, Mkhitaryan will surely start. Home fans will have to hope he shows his best form.

Left Wing: Marco Reus

Marco Reus entered the international break very fatigued and came out having played 112 minutes over two games. The 24-year-old is Dortmund's main attacking threat and will draw a great deal of attention from Bayern's defenders. Weary though he may be, Reus will need to conjure some magic if BVB are to salvage even a point from Saturday's match.

Striker: Robert Lewandowski

Fortunately for Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski did not sustain an injury while on international duty and will be fit to start. The Poland international has decided big matches on his own in the past—Real Madrid know this all too well—and has all the quality to do the same again, although it will be exceedingly difficult against Bayern. BVB will need a virtuoso performance from the 25-year-old if they are to claim three points.

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