Kovač reveals: Can doubtful for BVB clash with Wolfsburg | OneFootball

He is "satisfied." Although his selection has become smaller during the winter break, Niko Kovač (54) is not annoyed in the slightest. He describes the players available to the Borussia Dortmund head coach until the end of this season as "qualitatively good." On Saturday (February 7, 3:30 PM), he will visit his former club VfL Wolfsburg with BVB.

"Which club lets go of a regular player?" Kovač asked on Thursday at the press conference before the match against Lower Saxony. He provides the answer himself: "Not a single one. The guys who would be available can't help us in such a short time."

The coach finds personnel alternatives in his own youth department. "We will promote one or two young players," the Berlin native announces. Currently, three top talents, Luca Reggiani (18), Mathis Albert (16), and Samuele Inacio (17), are already training with the professionals.

The squad for the Champions League, where the Black and Yellows will face Atalanta Bergamo in the playoffs on February 17 and 25, will also receive reinforcements from within their ranks. The previously unlisted Salih Özcan (28) will be allowed to showcase himself in the "Champions League," Kovač announces, because: "We need every player, we will have to rotate, consolidate forces, and reorganize."

Warning against Wolfsburg

Meanwhile, Marcel Sabitzer (31) is still unavailable as he is currently undergoing rehabilitation training. Filippo Mane sustained a muscle injury during the 3-2 home victory against 1. FC Heidenheim last Sunday and is likely to be out for four to six weeks. The captain's participation against the "Wolves" is in jeopardy. "Emre Can is having problems with his adductors again," the 54-year-old BVB coach announces with regret.

Although VfL is fighting relegation as the 14th in the table with just 19 points, Kovač warns against his former club, which he coached from 2022 to 2024. "I know it will be a difficult game," he emphasizes. The meager yield of just 0.95 points per match does "not reflect the quality of this team," the Dortmund coach is convinced.

BVB is only six points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. Nico Schlotterbeck (26) recently announced his intention to fight for the championship. "Basically, I think it's good when players articulate that," says Kovač. However, as a coach, he must "not be guided by one game." He is convinced: "If we manage our games successfully, others can't catch up with us."

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