BVB squad update: Kovac gives all-clear on two players | OneFootball

The fact that defensive all-rounder Daniel Svensson and new signing Konstantinos Karetsas were not out on the training pitch with the team on Monday morning was planned, as Niko Kovac emphasized: “That was completely normal today. It can always happen that we let one or two players recover in the dressing room or in the gym. Both are perfectly healthy and 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 previous Bundesliga match at TSG Hoffenheim due to a muscle injury and will be out for the time being, as Kovac confirmed: “We assume nothing more will happen before the international break. He will certainly only return after that. Unfortunately, this kind of thing is part of the game. In terms of training load and training management, everything was top; he had really good endurance and strength values.”

The BVB coach continued to encourage Mane, who has repeatedly been set back by injuries recently: “He’ll get through this too, and it will make him stronger again!”

High praise from Kovac for BVB captain Anton

Also missing for the Black and Yellows against FC Villarreal are long-term absentees Giannis Konstantelias and Emre Can.

Nico Schlotterbeck was recently able to complete his first exercises with the ball again, while Ramy Bensebaini is close to returning to the BVB squad after his rib bruise. However, both are still suspended for the Champions League match against the Spaniards, for which a limited number of tickets are still available in the online ticket shop. They were shown red and second yellow respectively in the playoff second leg in Bergamo.

As captain and leader of Dortmund’s defensive line, Waldemar Anton is therefore once again in demand. Speaking about the current BVB skipper ahead of the Villarreal match, Niko Kovac said: “Waldi is a leader! But what matters even more to me is this: he leads from the front. He lives, thinks, eats, and sleeps football 24/7. He never gives up and gives everything for the team. He is a role model, and that is exactly what you need. With his manner, his performances, and his presence, he brings others along with him.”Mats-Yannick Roth

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