Borussia Dortmund will start the new Champions League season on Wednesday, September 18th. BVB will celebrate the start of the newly designed premier class with an away game against the Belgian team FC Bruges (from 9 p.m. in the LIVETICKER).

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BVB coach Nuri Sahin is once again relying on captain Emre Can in his starting line-up for the CL opener. The midfield star was only substituted on in the 4-2 victory against 1. FC Heidenheim in the Bundesliga. At the press conference before the game, Can complained that he sometimes feels unfairly treated by the media. On Friday, he caused a stir with his celebration gesture after his penalty goal to make the final score 4-2, when he put his index finger to his mouth.

Now Sahin is relying on Can again: “One issue is security, which speaks for Emre with his robustness and his speed,” the coach explained shortly before kick-off in an interview with DAZN.

In addition, Nico Schlotterbeck, who was recently absent from the league due to a yellow-red card suspension, returned to the starting line-up. Schlotterbeck replaced Waldemar Anton in central defense. Marcel Sabitzer is also new to the starting eleven compared to Friday’s league game. In attack, Sahin initially did without new signing Serhou Guirassy, ​​who celebrated his BVB debut on Friday and will be rested this time.

“Anything else would be a lie,” said Sahin: “I would very much like to start with Serhou, but I still have a responsibility towards the player’s health. We want to have him for the entire season.”

• Bruges: Mignolet – Seys, Mechele, Ordonez, De Cuyper – Vetlesen, Onyedika – Skov Olsen, Vanaken, Tzolis – Nilsson
• Dortmund: Kobel – Ryerson, Süle, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini – Can, Gross – Sabitzer, Brandt, Adeyemi – Malen

Borussia goes into the match on the first matchday of the Champions League as slight favorites. Borussia won the last two games between the teams with a clear 3-0. BVB also fought its way to the final of the Champions League last season, but was defeated by record title holders Real Madrid (0-2). Bruges failed to qualify for the CL in the 2023/24 season.

However, with fifth place in the Bundesliga, BVB was only able to qualify for the premier class thanks to the new format. Fifth place in the Bundesliga was enough because the league had achieved the extra starting place via the UEFA annual ranking.

Borussia made a good start to the new Bundesliga season. With seven points from three games, coach Nuri Sahin’s team is in second place behind Bayern. Last Friday’s 4:2 win against 1. FC Heidenheim in particular gave them confidence.

This was particularly due to the two attacking stars Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi. Adeyami scored two goals himself (17th, 41st) and also provided the assist for Donyell Malen’s goal (12th). With his high-speed dribbling, Adeyemi was unstoppable at any point – but there was one flaw. He was unable to provide a assist for Dortmund’s new hopeful Serhou Guirassy.

But the former Stuttgart player, who made his debut for BVB after recovering from a knee injury, also hinted at the great added value he will offer Dortmund – ideally at the Champions League opener on Wednesday against FC Bruges. Guirassy is “a top player” and “perfect for us,” said Adeyemi: “We needed someone like that.”

Head coach Nicky Hayen’s team qualified for the Champions League as Belgian champions. The last time Brugge took part, they reached the knockout phase of the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.

After a poor start to the new season, Brugge are back in strong form, winning four games in a row and taking the lead in the Jupiler Pro League.