"Precautionary measure": Dortmund's Schlotterbeck continues his break

Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund will be without their four injured defenders Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, Emre Can and Filippo Mané for the top match at fifth-placed RB Leipzig. They had already missed the 2-0 win in the Champions League play-off first leg against Atalanta Bergamo on Tuesday.

Schlotterbeck, who is suffering from muscular problems, is training and feeling well, said coach Niko Kovac at the press conference ahead of the game in Leipzig on Saturday (18:30/Sky), "but we have to be sensible, it's a precautionary measure." Against Bergamo, 18-year-old debutant Luca Reggiani, Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini formed the back three throughout - and did not concede a goal.

Kovac praises defensive leader Waldemar Anton

Kovac praised Anton's recent performances. "Someone who actually always runs under the radar is finally coming to the fore, Waldi is a quiet leader, he helps the team with his leadership and I'm delighted that he's finally reaping the praise he deserves," said the coach.

High effectiveness from Guirassy and Ryerson

Central striker Serhou Guirassy and right winger Julian Ryerson could once again be at the heart of BVB's performance in Leipzig. Guirassy has scored six goals in the last four competitive matches. Ryerson has already set up 14 goals this season with his crosses, corners and free-kicks, six of them in the last three competitive matches alone.

The rest of the schedule: Bergamo and Bayern

After the match in Leipzig, Dortmund have two more important games coming up within a week. Kovac calls this phase of the season "crunch time". Next Wednesday, BVB will play the Champions League play-off second leg in Bergamo and three days later, on Saturday evening, the Bundesliga top match against Bayern Munich. The Champions League round of 16 will be drawn the day before. If Dortmund prevail against Bergamo, they will also face two matches against FC Bayern in the Champions League.