Dortmund face Bremen again

Borussia Dortmund host Werder Bremen in the second round of the German Cup on Tuesday 27 October, kicking off at 19:45 UTC, or 20:45 in Brazzaville. Two straight wins have given Dortmund momentum as they target the last 16. Yet Bremen already supplied a warning on 9 October: a two-goal lead did not prevent their previous meeting from ending 2-2.

Confirmed Dortmund starting lineup : Gregor Kobel, Joane Gadou, Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck, Julian Ryerson, Joey Veerman, Felix Nmecha, Carney Chukwuemeka, Jobe Bellingham, Maximilian Beier, Serhou Guirassy.

That recent draw gives this rematch a clear sporting question. Dortmund led by two before Bremen recovered in the closing minutes. Keeping control late in the game therefore matters as much as making a strong start. The competition changes the stakes: this evening is about advancing in a knockout tournament, rather than settling for a league point.

Dortmund beat Sabah 2-1 in the Champions League and followed it with a 1-0 Bundesliga win over Frankfurt. Those results ended their winless spell. Maximilian Beier provided the decisive goal against Frankfurt, while Serhou Guirassy scored twice in Baku. The hosts have different attacking options, but turning their opportunities into a secure advantage remains part of the challenge.

Ramy Bensebaini will miss the tie. The Algerian defender is serving the second and final game of his cup suspension following his red card in the Supercup against Bayern. Niko Kovac has said Joane Gadou will play in his place. The announced starting lineup now confirms his selection.

Konstantinos Karetsas remains unavailable after damaging ligaments in his right foot. Goalkeeper Alexander Meyer is a doubt following illness. Carney Chukwuemeka, however, is available: his reduced training on Sunday was related to workload management. Those distinctions matter when discussing rotation. A player completing less work in training is not necessarily ruled out of a match.

Werder travel after a 3-2 win at Mainz. Daniel Thioune’s side also have the recent 2-2 in Dortmund as evidence that they can stay competitive after falling behind. Home advantage gives Borussia an opportunity, but it does not make the tie straightforward. Bremen have already shown the value of continuing to play for a route back.

Rotation could change the visitors’ attack. Thioune is preparing changes, and Niclas Füllkrug, who has eight goals in seven league games, could be rested. Cedric Itten is an option to lead the line. The goalkeeper selection and Olivier Deman’s fitness are further points to watch. Neither a guaranteed Füllkrug start nor his definite absence can be presented as established before the team news is confirmed.

Starting this evening, Guirassy can give Dortmund a finishing presence inside the area. Ethan Nwaneri is another attacking option in a squad missing Karetsas. The task extends beyond selecting a goalscorer, though. Dortmund need a structure that allows them to respond when an attack breaks down, rather than exposing their defenders to an immediate recovery run.

The previous 2-2 makes that balance a useful way to watch this meeting. Pushing for another goal can create space for the opposition to counter. The distances between Dortmund’s lines and their reaction after losing possession will therefore be worth following. These are questions for the match, rather than claims that its pattern has already been decided.

This is Dortmund’s sixth competitive game in nineteen days. Managing minutes has a practical purpose, especially with a Bundesliga trip to Bayern scheduled for Saturday 31 October. Looking ahead cannot replace the immediate objective, however: progressing in a competition Dortmund have not won since 2021.

Three details should help frame the evening: the defensive choices around Gadou, the roles given to the selected forwards and Dortmund’s response if they take a lead. Bremen have demonstrated their ability to recover. Borussia now have an opportunity to show they can prevent the same problem from happening again.

The SNA team pages provide Dortmund and Bremen squad information and schedules. The Bundesliga standings offer context for their league form; league positions do not decide this cup tie. Our Dortmund–Frankfurt report also looks back at the hosts’ latest victory, providing a starting point before tonight’s new challenge.

Borussia Dortmund · Werder Bremen · Bundesliga standings · Dortmund–Frankfurt · Dortmund–Werder 2-2, 09/10