Borussia Dortmund begin their UEFA Champions League campaign at home to La Liga side Villarreal at the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday evening, but they will have to do without an additional two first team players.

Ramy Bensebaini was sent off against Atalanta in their final Champions League game of 2025/26, and so will miss BVB’s opening game, while, per Ruhr Nachrichten, Filippo Mane will be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a thigh injury during Dortmund’s 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim on Saturday – the Italian isn’t expected to return until after the international break at the earliest. That means Daniel Svensson will likely play alongside Joane Gadou and Waldemar Anton in a back three.

Additionally, RN note that both Svensson and Konstantinos Karetsas missed the final training session due to workload management, but the duo are expected to feature under the lights against Villarreal.

Probably Borussia Dortmund line-up vs. Villarreal

Kobel – Gadou, Anton, Svensson – Ryerson, J. Veerman, Bellingham, Beier – Karetsas, Nwaneri – Guirassy