Schlotterbeck set for comeback? BVB boss Kovac makes prediction | OneFootball

“They defend aggressively. These are tight games. I’m sure it will be the same on Saturday as well.” Niko Kovac (54) knows what awaits his BVB side in the Bundesliga away at TSG Hoffenheim (September 5, 3:30 p.m.).

“It will come down to who can push through that little bit extra more than the opponent,” the Borussia Dortmund head coach said according to Ruhr24 at Thursday’s press conference, adding: “I hope that will be us.”

Last season, the Black and Yellows suffered a late blow in Hoffenheim. Andrej Kramaric (35) converted a penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win. However, at their home ground, Signal Iduna Park, BVB won convincingly 2-0.

With that exact scoreline, the Westphalians opened the new season against Hamburger SV. In midweek, a clear 5-0 victory followed away to Hamburg-based Oberliga side HEBC. In the cup match, Kovac surprised many with a back four. However, this defensive setup does not necessarily offer any clues about the upcoming matches.

“We did that well,” says the BVB coach, “but we don’t want to overrate it either.” Because: “It was a fifth-division side.” Still, he said the team “did very well, very focused.” He certainly has no intention of shelving the back four. “We’ll keep it as an option. At the right time, we’ll bring it out,” announced the Berlin native.

Who will replace Ryerson?

Julian Ryerson is the established starter at right-back. But the 28-year-old Norwegian has no backup. Kovac sees Maximilian Beier (23) and Daniel Svensson (24) as alternatives. “If there is an absence, I already have one or two ideas in mind,” says Kovac, without going into detail.

Photo: IMAGO

One player who would undoubtedly benefit Dortmund’s defense is Nico Schlotterbeck. The 26-year-old has been sidelined with a torn medial ligament in his ankle, which he suffered at the Club World Cup. But his comeback is now within reach. The center-back is doing “the exercises on the pitch,” reports Kovac, but “of course still individually.”

“Of course we want to have him back with us as quickly as possible,” the Dortmund coach said. “I hope he can return to training with the team in the next two weeks,” Kovac said, hopeful of the defensive leader’s swift return.

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