Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed concern over the number of injuries in his squad ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League game against Sporting CP, although he still has hope that both Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Lukasz Piszczek will both be fit in time.
"We have reason to hope that both can play," Tuchel explained (via BVB.de).
But the absence of players like Neven Subotic, Marcel Schmelzer, Marco Reus and others will still remove plenty of vital experience from the team that steps out in Lisbon.
"We are very concerned about the situation and about the large number of injuries we have suffered lately. There is no single reason - every injury has its own story. We miss each individual player. At the same time, we have the fullest confidence in all those who do play," Tuchel added.
The 'probable' line-up Dortmund published on their own website ahead of the game read: (4-1-4-1) Burki, Ginter, Sokratis, Bartra, Piszczek, Weigl, Mor, Gotze, Kagawa, Dembele, Aubameyang
On the subject of the opposition, who were only denied a win against reigning champions Real Madrid on matchday one by two late goals, Tuchel is aware of the threat posed.
"I think Sporting is a very experienced and complete team. They are very robust defensively and under pressure and therefore extremely dangerous," he commented.
Dortmund have four points from their opening two Group F fixtures against Legia Warsaw and Real, and will be looking for another win to keep pace with Madrid, who are expected to win big at home against Legia this week.
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