Three options for Dortmund's left-back crisis against Bayern Munich | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund head to Bayern Munich on Saturday for the game that could decide the destination of the Bundesliga title.

But who will play left-back?

Lucien Favre’s side have suffered two untimely setbacks, with Achraf Hakimi and Abdou Diallo both ruled out. Hakimi won’t play again this season after undergoing surgery, Diallo is suffering muscular problems and Saturday’s game will come too soon for him.

The pair have started as the left-back in 20 of Dortmund’s 27 Bundesliga games so far this season, including each of the last 11 matches, leaving Favre with a headache.

Who are the options to replace them?

Marcel Schmelzer

The 31-year-old is huge in the dressing room but his best playing days appear to be behind him.

Schmelzer has started just one of BVB’s last 22 league games – a 2-1 defeat at Fortuna Düsseldorf – and was an unused sub on Saturday. Even when Diallo and Hakimi both went off injured against Wolfsburg, Favre opted to overlook Schmelzer.

Could he really face Bayern now?

Raphaël Guerreiro

Unlike Schmelzer, Guerreiro has featured regularly so far this campaign. But not at left-back.

The Portuguese has started just one Bundesliga game in defence all season, with Favre preferring to use his creativity and quick feet further forward.

Guerreiro did move to left-back at the end of the weekend’s game, with hard-working winger Jacob Bruun Larsen brought on to help protect him.

Lukasz Piszczek

If the Pole is fit to return, he could be moved from his favoured right-back spot to the other side of the pitch.

Marius Wolf has impressed on the right-hand side of the defence during Piszczek’s absence and deserved to keep his place in the team.

Using Piszczek – as long as he’s fit to play – on an unfamiliar side would probably be the safest option, given Schmelzer’s form this season and Guerreiro’s attacking instincts.