Three Dortmund stars at stake to be benched against Lille | OneFootball

According to reports from Sky Sports, the underwhelming performance against Augsburg will have serious consequences for a few Dortmund players who started on the weekend. BVB manager Niko Kovač made an outburst speech following the 1-nil Bundesliga defeat and signaled severe changes in an attempt to turn the Black-and-Yellows' luck around against LOSC Lille.

More specifically, journalist Patrick Berger reported that three Borussia Dortmund starters on the weekend against Augsburg are likely to be dropped from the starting XI for the key second-leg match this afternoon. As a certainty, Yan Couto is very likely to be on the bench for this Champions League matchup following a performance below the standards of the league, as the 'fighter' Julian Ryerson will take his place at the XI.

Another piece who could be dropped is Jamie Gittens, who has had a decrease in form since the Croatian joined the club in the winter. As he was a starter for the past two matches following a benching spell for Maxi Beier, the young Brit did not particularly impress against Augsburg and could see himself as an option. At the same time, Beier and Julian Duranville are reportedly considered for a starting spot against Lille.

At last, Julian Brandt is the most likely player from the ones cited to stick to the starting XI this afternoon, but he will definitely need to prove worthy of it, as Berger highlighted. More particularly, Brandt's body language and lack of stamina this season have been reasons to question his role as a Borussia Dortmund player. Therefore, despite the unlikeliness of happening, Gio Reyna could potentially be a surprise presence as a starter.