Kovac decides: first starting XI calls made at BVB | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund’s preparations for the new season are in full swing. The Black and Yellows want to find their rhythm early and then maintain it.

So the main purpose of preseason is to establish automatisms as quickly as possible. Niko Kovac, the Black and Yellows’ head coach, wants clarity early on. And that is exactly what has happened.

According to information from BILD, the coach has made his most important tactical decision for the new season: Borussia will stick with a back five. Internally, there had been repeated discussions in recent weeks about a return to a back four. But the impressions from preseason have now been enough to keep the current system.

Kovac: Some starting spots are already taken

This also means that, on the one hand, there are already clear ideas about which players will be used in which positions, while on the other hand it is also becoming clear where the club still needs to move in the transfer market in the coming weeks.

Photo: IMAGO

Gregor Kobel is, of course, firmly established in goal, while the center of defense is currently more or less picking itself due to the injuries to Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can. Alongside Waldemar Anton and new signing Joane Gadou, Ramy Bensebaini is expected to be the first-choice option for now.

Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson are virtually guaranteed starters. And Felix Nmecha is the number one option in central midfield, while Serhou Guirassy is expected to remain a starter up front, provided he is not sold. So many positions are no longer up for grabs. Jobe Bellingham has a chance of claiming a spot in midfield, while players such as Maximilian Beier or Konstantinos Karetsas—provided his transfer is finalized—could play alongside Guirassy.

In any case, a foundation has already been found, and now it is to be refined further.

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