The German Bundesliga is the first of Europe’s big four leagues to kick off their season, as defending champions Borussia Dortmund host Hamburg SV in the season opener. Dortmund lost Nuri Sahin over the summer, but they still have a roster that makes them title contenders. Both teams had major players unfortunately bow out with injury or illness just before the game. Dortmund central defender Neven Subotic picked up a muscle injury in warmups and will not be starting, while young Korean star Son Heung-Min will miss the game for Hamburg due to illness. Here are the lineups.
Borussia Dortmund Vs. Hamburg SV: Lineups
Borussia Dortmund lineup (4-2-3-1): Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Santana, Hummels, Löwe; Gündogan, Bender; Götze, Kagawa, Großkreutz; Lewandowski
Hamburg SV lineup (4-2-3-1): Drobny; Diekmeier, Mancienne, Westermann, Aogo; Rincón, Kaca; Töre, Guerrero, Elia; Petric
The only major surprise in either lineup is that Paolo Guerrero has been preferred to David Jarolim for HSV. Lucas Barrios is not completely fit after his Copa America campaign with Paraguay, which is why Robert Lewandowski starts for Dortmund. It's a slight surprise that Jürgen Klopp didn't have a place for 'Kuba' Jakub Blaszczykowski in his lineup, but that could be due to fitness and not a tactical or form preference.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburg SV kicks off at 2:30 pm ET and can be seen on GolTV in the USA.
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