Borussia Dortmund's season has been defined in its opening days by a cruel injury blow and a frantic transfer response. Giannis Konstantelias, the 26-million-euro summer signing from PAOK Saloniki, suffered a cruciate ligament rupture during the Bundesliga opener against Hamburger SV on August 29, a match Dortmund won 5-0 in the DFB-Pokal first round against amateur side HEBC Hamburg on September 1. The Greek midfielder had lit up his first two appearances for the club, and his absence will be felt for several months.

Dortmund moved quickly to address the gap. Sporting director Ole Book and sporting CEO Lars Ricken skipped the Hamburg cup trip to work the phones, and by deadline day the club confirmed a season-long loan for Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri. The 19-year-old, who holds the record as the Premier League's youngest-ever debutant, cost a total package of around five million euros including wages. Ricken described the deal as "the best possible solution at short notice." Moves for Nick Woltemade and Jonathan David both fell through, with Woltemade heading to Juventus on loan instead.

The squad picture is further complicated by the suspension of teenage talent Samuele Inacio, who received a red card shortly after coming on against HSV and will miss at least the next two Bundesliga matches. Carney Chukwuemeka remains unavailable through injury, while coach Niko Kovac has made clear that Fabio Silva stays in his role as backup striker rather than moving into the vacated half-space position. Dortmund sit fifth in the Bundesliga after one game and travel to Hoffenheim on September 5.