The Bundesliga is soon set to pause for the second international break of the season. Six players from the Borussia Dortmund first-team squad have been called up by their national teams to represent their countries in October.

Axel Witsel is taking part in the final stages of the UEFA Nations League with Belgium, who will face France in the semi-finals. Depending on the outcome of this match, Belgium will then play in the final or the third-place match. 

Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel is not travelling to join the Swiss national team due to a tendon insertion irritation in his knee. Youssoufa Moukoko and Raphael Guerreiro (both hamstring injuries) have both left their respective national teams. Thorgan Hazard has also returned to Dortmund. 

The call-ups at a glance:

Akanji SUI Switzerland vs. Northern Ireland Lithuania vs. Switzerland
Knauff  GER U20s Poland U20s vs. Germany U20s Germany U20s vs. Romania U20s
Malen  NED Latvia vs. Netherlands  Netherlands vs. Gibraltar 
Pongracic  HRV Cyprus vs. Croatia  Croatia vs. Slovakia 
Reus  GER  Germany vs. Romania  North Macedonia vs. Germany 
Witsel  BEL  Belgium vs. France