Borussia Dortmund must sit Ramy Bensebaini for two DFB-Pokal matches after his red card in the Supercup against Bayern Munich in the 90th minute. The penalty is final and follows his foul on Ismael Saibari with an open sole above the ankle.
Why the decision was so harsh
Ole Book, Borussia Dortmund's sports director, called the red card "very harsh for him" and noted Bensebaini was substituted in the 80th minute due to a rib contusion from colliding with Waldemar Anton's knee. The penalty was announced on Tuesday by the DFB Sport Court.
Current season standing
The 2025/26 Bundesliga table shows Borussia Dortmund in 2nd place with 73 points from 34 games, a +36 goal difference (70:34), and 16 points behind Bayern München. The team has a recent form of 4 wins in 5 games (WWWWL) and is set to play SC Paderborn 07 at home on 12 September 2026.
How the suspension affects the squad
Bensebaini's absence forces the coach to rely on other defenders like Niklas Süle and Julian Brandt, as he missed the first DFB-Pokal match against HEBC Hamburg on 20 August 2026 and may miss the next fixture. The team is currently without Nico Schlotterbeck, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Ramy Bensebaini.
Impact on upcoming fixtures
The suspension directly impacts the upcoming home game against SC Paderborn 07 on 12 September 2026, which is listed on our fixtures page. The team's strong form and league position make this a critical match for their title ambitions.
Season planning implications
The suspension highlights the need for discipline in the squad, especially with key players like Nico Schlotterbeck and Carney Chukwuemeka already sidelined. Borussia Dortmund's 2nd-place standing and +36 goal difference show they remain title contenders, but injuries and suspensions require constant tactical adjustments.
