Bench beckons: Niko Kovac warns of tough decisions | OneFootball

Just before the duel with his hometown club on Saturday evening, 1. FC Köln (1:0), Salih Özcan received the news that he would not make it into the matchday squad. For the native of Cologne, whose departure next summer is practically certain and could even happen in the winter, further tough decisions are likely to arise at Borussia Dortmund in the coming weeks.

“We are fortunate that we really have everyone healthy. That is not an everyday occurrence. Emre Can is coming back now, Julien Duranville is coming back. That means I will now also have to send some to the stands,” coach Niko Kovac acknowledged after the victory over Cologne, aware of the situation that regularly difficult decisions await in the near future, provided the personnel situation does not deteriorate again.

Kovac and Kehl appeal to team spirit

Kovac knows that not every player is happy with his personal situation and will be, but he preemptively appealed to team spirit: “We are a team. Football is a team sport, and only in this way can we be successful,” said the BVB coach, who also found clear words on “Sky” regarding Karim Adeyemi's noticeable frustration after his substitution: “I think such behavior is unnecessary. I tell the guys the following, because it is relatively simple: If you don't want to come off, then your friend Maxi Beier or whoever won't come on. So, if you can afford not to want to come off, then you stay on for 90 minutes – but please explain that to your friend.”

Kovac received support from sporting director Sebastian Kehl, who emphasized in “kicker” that every player will be needed: “Everyone must see themselves as part of the team. It is currently a group that harmonizes well. In the end, success experiences are irreplaceable. If we continue to work on it, everyone will get their reward.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.