Pre-Match Report
BVB personnel: Kovac gives the all-clear in two cases
The fact that defensive all-rounder Daniel Svensson and new signing Konstantinos Karetsas were not on the training field with the team on Monday morning was by design, as Niko Kovac emphasized: “That was completely normal today. It can happen from time to time that we let one or two players recover in the locker room or in the gym. Both are in perfect health and are options for the game.”
The situation is different for Filippo Mane. The 21-year-old had to be substituted in the first half of the last Bundesliga match at TSG Hoffenheim due to a muscle injury and will be sidelined for the time being, as Kovac confirmed: “We’re assuming nothing else will happen before the international break. He’ll certainly return after that. Unfortunately, things like this are just part of the game. In terms of training load and training management, everything was top-notch; he had really good endurance and strength numbers.”
The BVB coach continued to offer encouragement to Mane, who has recently been repeatedly set back by injuries: “He’ll get through this too, and it will make him stronger again!”
Kovac Heaps Praise on BVB Captain Anton
The Black and Yellows will also be without long-term absentees Giannis Konstantelias and Emre Can for the match against Villarreal.
Nico Schlotterbeck has recently been able to resume basic drills with the ball, and Ramy Bensebaini is set to return to the BVB squad after recovering from a bruised rib. However, both players are still suspended for the Champions League match against the Spanish side—for which remaining tickets are still available in the online ticket shop. They were shown red and yellow-red cards, respectively, in the playoff second leg in Bergamo.
As captain and the driving force in Dortmund’s defensive line, Waldemar Anton is once again called upon to step up. Ahead of the Villarreal match, Niko Kovac had this to say about the current BVB captain: “Waldi is a leader! But what’s even more important to me is that he’s someone who leads by example. Someone who lives, thinks, eats, and sleeps soccer 24/7. He never gives up and gives his all for the team. He’s a role model, and that’s exactly what we need. With his attitude, his performance, and his charisma, he inspires the players.”
Mats-Yannick Roth
