BERLIN, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ahead of their fifth match in the Champions League Group D against Arsenal in London this Wednesday night, Borussia Dortmund's mind is more on their problems in the Bundesliga and their star striker Marco Reus who picked up a serious ankle injury over the weekend.
The 25-year old, who been sidelined for third time since summer 2014, has to be replaced and Dortmund's coach Juergen Klopp is thinking about a tactical change in his starting eleven.
Though playing well recently on the left flank, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may well start the game on the bench. Italian striker Ciro Immobile is likely to lead the attack especially after scoring in the first match against Arsenal (2-0) and then in Anderlecht (3-0).
But no question, the Germans will find it difficult to replace a player for the caliber of Reus and not only form a footballing point of view. This time it seems to be a psychological issue as well.
After Reus was carried off the pitch in the league game at promoted Paderborn, Dortmund seemed to be in a state of shock.
The team let a 2-0 lead slip and had to hang on for a 2-2 draw. Reus's injury and the two lost points have put Dortmund in an uncomfortable position towards the wrong end of the Bundesliga.
The aim of qualifying for next year's Champions League is becoming ever more distant.
"All the success of the last years should not be shield to hide behind," said club boss Hans-Joachim Watzke who, none too happy, didn't mention the Champions League.
"The situation we're in requires blood, sweat and tears,"he continued.
Watzke was talking about the Bundesliga. The game against Arsenal was not on his mind.
But more than anything else, Dortmund will need Reus in the Bundesliga.
After returning to team recently, the striker carried the hopes of his team on his shoulders that they would turn around the disappointing start to their league campaign.
It again is a proof of how important Reus is for Dortmund, not only now but also for the future as the club is looking to establish itself amongst Europe's elite, and rise up the Bundesliga table.
Reus is world class, in contrast to many of his teammates. To lose him, which is possible if another club is willing to pay 25 million euro at the end of the season, would be a catastrophe for Dortmund according to the former German international goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.
Watzke and his management team would not go that far when speaking about Reus'future, but they fear nothing more than to lose the struggle to keep the Dortmund-born player.
League rivals Bayern Munich is interested in signing Reus, as, according to rumors, are many of Europe's leading clubs. Reus was expected to lead the team out of its biggest crisis for years.
Having reached London, Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp can't think about lost chances regarding Reus. He has concentrated on rebuilding his forward line as finding a way of replacing World Champion Mats Hummels and Greek defender Sokratis at the back.