Will Ramy Bensebaini feature for Algeria against Niger? Dortmund have every reason to worry

Ramy Bensebaini’s international window could be nearing its end, with Algeria facing Niger in a friendly on Tuesday, but Borussia Dortmund will be hoping the defender is spared another demanding appearance.

The Borussia Dortmund centre-back has already featured in both of Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers during the current international break. While he eventually settled into both matches, Bensebaini endured difficult starts, including a costly error against Burundi that gifted their opponents a goal.

With Algeria now turning their attention to a friendly in Tizi Ouzou, the obvious question for Dortmund is whether Bensebaini needs to be involved at all.

The match carries little competitive significance compared with the two qualifiers Algeria have already played, giving head coach Brahim Hemdani an opportunity to rotate his squad and manage the workload of his key players.

Algeria set for changes against Niger

Hemdani is expected to make several alterations to his starting XI after a demanding run of fixtures.

Anis Hadj Moussa and Adem Zorgane have been released from the squad after suffering injuries in Algeria’s previous match and will not feature against Niger. Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri has also departed the camp following an altercation with Hemdani during the game against Zambia.

Himad Abdelli is another absentee after picking up a knock against Burundi.

Bensebaini, however, remains fit and with the squad. There has been no indication that he will definitely be rested, despite the likelihood of significant changes to the team.

That could leave the Dortmund defender facing a decision that carries greater importance for his club than Algeria, particularly given the timing of the friendly.

Dortmund need Bensebaini fit

Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has already expressed concerns about the workload of his international players.

The German coach personally contacted the national team coaches of every country currently featuring a Dortmund player, urging them not to overload his players with excessive minutes during the international break.

That request could be particularly relevant to Bensebaini, with Dortmund scheduled to return to action only three days after Algeria’s meeting with Niger.

For a player who has already completed two competitive international fixtures, another appearance in a friendly could represent an unnecessary risk from Dortmund’s perspective.

The Bundesliga club also have little room for further defensive setbacks.

Dortmund already dealing with defensive injuries

Dortmund have already lost two defenders during the international break.

Nico Schlotterbeck picked up a knock while training with Germany, forcing him to miss their final two Nations League fixtures. Julian Ryerson also returned from Norway’s camp after suffering an injury early in their match against Wales.

Filippo Mane is currently recovering from his own injury, further reducing Dortmund’s defensive options.

An injury to Bensebaini would therefore add another complication to an already stretched backline.

Dortmund are also heading into a congested period, with nine matches to navigate across 35 days. Bensebaini is expected to play an important role during that run, making his availability particularly valuable to Kovac.

For Algeria, the Niger friendly provides an ideal opportunity to rotate. For Dortmund, it presents another potential workload concern.

With Bensebaini fit but already heavily involved during the international window, the decision on whether he features could ultimately come down to how much value Hemdani places on the friendly — and how much risk Algeria are willing to take with one of their key defenders.