BVB hit by selection worries: two more doubts for Villarreal | OneFootball

Before their Champions League opener against Villarreal, BVB are dealing with several squad concerns. There are also question marks over two regular starters.

Borussia Dortmund have to cope with a number of personnel issues ahead of their Champions League opener against Villarreal. Head coach Niko Kovac is particularly short of options in defense. There are also still doubts over Daniel Svensson and Konstantinos Karetsas.

According to Ruhr Nachrichten and RUHR24, neither player took part in Dortmund’s final training session on Monday. According to BVB, this was due to load management. Svensson and Karetsas worked individually instead. Whether the duo will be available against Villarreal on Tuesday evening (9 p.m.) therefore remains unclear for now.

An absence for the Swede would further complicate Kovac’s plans. Dortmund are already missing several players in defense. Ramy Bensebaini cannot play due to a suspension following a red card. Although the Algerian is on the way back after the injury he suffered in the Super Cup, he was not going to be an option against the Spaniards anyway.

BVB ahead of Villarreal: Question marks over Svensson and Karetsas

BVB will be without Filippo Mane for significantly longer. The 21-year-old suffered a thigh muscle injury in the 3-2 win over TSG Hoffenheim and is expected to be out for several weeks. Nico Schlotterbeck also only trained individually on Monday after his ankle injury. Emre Can remains sidelined as well after tearing his ACL.

Photo: IMAGO

If Svensson is fit in time, Kovac could reshuffle his defense and drop Julian Ryerson back into the back three. Svensson would then be an option on the left flank, while Maximilian Beier could play on the opposite side. A total of 21 professionals were on the training pitch on Monday.

Among them was Ethan Nwaneri, who was seen in first-team training for the first time after his impressive BVB debut at the weekend. Talents Mussa Kaba and Enzo Dos Santos also trained with the team. Both are part of Dortmund’s Champions League squad. Whether Svensson and Karetsas can actually feature against Villarreal should be decided by the time the team leaves for the hotel at the latest.

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