Defensive worries for BVB: Kovač must reshuffle for Villarreal | OneFootball

Before their Champions League opener against Villarreal, BVB are dealing with major squad concerns. Niko Kovac in particular will have to improvise in defense.

Borussia Dortmund have made a successful start to the new season, but ahead of their Champions League opener the squad situation is increasingly becoming a problem. When BVB host Villarreal on Tuesday evening (8 September, 9 p.m.), coach Niko Kovac will have to improvise above all in defense.

In addition to long-term absentees Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can, Filippo Mane is also unavailable for the time being. The 21-year-old center-back suffered a muscle injury in the 3-2 away win over TSG Hoffenheim and will be out for several weeks. “He will certainly only return after the international break,” Kovac said at Monday’s press conference.

That leaves even fewer options in central defense. On top of that, Ramy Bensebaini is suspended following the previous Champions League match. The remaining options at center-back include Waldemar Anton, Joane Gadou and Luca Reggiani. A change to the system used most recently is also conceivable.

Kovac issues strong warning to BVB about Villarreal

A back four is not a major concern for Kovac in any case. “If we had to, we could do that,” said the BVB coach. It would also be possible to move Julian Ryerson into a back three and fill the right flank in another way.

Photo: IMAGO

There was better news regarding Daniel Svensson and Konstantinos Karetsas. Both missed the team’s final training session, but according to the coach they are “perfectly healthy.” Their individual program was merely part of load management, meaning both can be used against Villarreal. Meanwhile, Kovac does not want to be misled by the Spanish side’s results so far.

Villarreal are still waiting for their first league win. For the Dortmund coach, however, that does not reflect the team’s actual performances. “We must not make the mistake of judging them by their league results. That does not reflect their performance,” Kovac warned. BVB may still go into their Champions League opener as favorites, but given the strained squad situation they will have to find creative solutions, especially in defense.

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