Borussia Dortmund sit top of the Bundesliga with 12 points from four games, but the international break has brought a wave of defensive injury concerns that could test the squad's depth in the weeks ahead. The timing is particularly difficult, with Werder Bremen visiting Signal Iduna Park on Friday.

Nico Schlotterbeck suffered an ankle ligament injury during Germany training, in circumstances that were initially mistaken for a joke by teammates and coach Jürgen Klopp. No surgery is required, but his availability for the Werder game remains uncertain. The setback is a blow given Schlotterbeck had only recently returned from a similar injury sustained at the World Cup. Compounding the problem, right-back Julian Ryerson was forced off after just 16 minutes for Norway against Wales, his second early exit in the same international window. With Yan Couto having left on loan to Como, Ryerson is the only specialist right-back in the squad.

On the pitch, Dortmund's form has been strong. Five consecutive wins across all competitions, 16 goals scored and just two conceded, reflect a team building real momentum under Niko Kovac. The head coach has also been credited internally with reducing injuries at the club by around 60 percent since taking charge in February 2025, making the current setbacks a rare disruption to an otherwise well-managed squad. How Kovac navigates the defensive absences over the coming fixtures will say much about the squad's genuine title credentials.