Kovac gives squad update ahead of Dortmund's Champions League opener against Villarreal | OneFootball

Niko Kovac has confirmed Daniel Svensson and Konstantinos Karetsas are in contention for Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League opener against Villarreal on Tuesday, despite missing Monday’s session. Filippo Mané is ruled out.

According to BuLi News, the head coach said the duo skipped team training for indoor recovery work, remain in full health, and are options for the game.

Mané sustained a muscle injury and will miss the match after being forced off in the first half of Dortmund’s 3-2 Bundesliga win over Hoffenheim at the weekend. Kovac said they assume nothing else will happen before the international break and that Mané will return afterwards. He added the training load and management had been top notch, with strong endurance and strength numbers.

Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini, who have both progressed in their recoveries recently, are suspended for the game.

Long-term absentees Giannis Konstantelias and Emre Can are also unavailable.

Source: BuLi News

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