Ramy Bensebaini out of BVB’s trip to Lisbon

The Algerian full-back has been left behind in Dortmund as a precaution having felt a tweak in his muscle.

A social media post from Borussia Dortmund’s official account has revealed that Ramy Bensebaini did not travel with the squad to Lisbon ahead of their UEFA Champions League play-off first-leg match. A suspected muscle strain is the cause.

The 29-year-old managed 85 minutes on the pitch in BVB’s latest defeat to VfB Stuttgart on the weekend before he was replaced by new signing Daniel Svensson who arrived from Danish club Nordsjaelland for a rumoured €8million package. 

It comes as somewhat of a blow to Niko Kovac and Dortmund – the Algerian has been one of seldom few positives with improved performances in what has been a tricky season for the Ruhrpott club. 

His 1 goal and 5 assists in 19 Bundesliga appearances coupled with another 2 goals in 7 Champions League outings evidence his upturn in form since he signed on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach in June 2023. 

Perhaps one silver lining for Die Schwarzgelben is the wealth of depth available to Kovac in Bensebaini’s vacated position. Julian Ryerson is more than capable of deputising in that role while Yan Couto can cover the right rull-back slot. 

Otherwise, the aforementioned new man Svensson could be in for his starting debut. Albeit it does sound like a potential baptism of fire given the several threats Sporting CP possess including Victor Gyokeres, Daniel Braganca and Francisco Trincao.