Schlotterbeck suddenly back at BVB: will Klopp call now? | OneFootball

After a long injury layoff, Nico Schlotterbeck has made a surprising return for BVB. Now even a possible Germany call-up from Jürgen Klopp is coming into focus.

Nico Schlotterbeck is back on the pitch – and earlier than many expected. In Borussia Dortmund’s 3-0 win over SC Paderborn, the center-back was surprisingly named straight into the starting lineup. Now, a swift return to the German national team could also become a topic.

The fact that Schlotterbeck was already able to play for BVB again had deliberately not been made public beforehand. The 26-year-old had personally asked for his progress not to be highlighted too much. “We simply haven’t communicated much yet because I didn’t want that,” the Germany international explained after the match. In fact, Schlotterbeck had been working individually with the ball for some time and had returned to team training a week before his comeback.

Head coach Niko Kovac finally asked on Friday whether his defender was fit to play. Schlotterbeck gave the green light and lined up against Paderborn alongside Waldemar Anton and Joane Gadou in Dortmund’s back three. After 77 minutes, his work was done, with Ramy Bensebaini taking over.

After BVB comeback: Schlotterbeck back on Germany’s radar

The long layoff had taken its toll on Schlotterbeck. At the World Cup, he suffered a torn medial ligament in his ankle against Ivory Coast and subsequently missed both the rest of the tournament and BVB’s preseason and start to the campaign. All the greater was the joy at his return. “Football really is an adrenaline addiction. I missed it a lot, it was a serious injury,” said Schlotterbeck.

Photo: IMAGO

His comeback could also be closely watched by Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp. Klopp is set to announce his first squad for the upcoming Nations League block on September 17. There have already been talks between Dortmund and the DFB about Schlotterbeck.

BVB sporting director Ole Book confirmed the exchange, but did not want to jump the gun on a possible nomination: “Of course we spoke with the DFB and with Jürgen Klopp. But what exactly comes of it, we’ll see — or you’ll see.” Given that his return has only just happened, however, it remains unclear whether Schlotterbeck should immediately be put under a full workload again. A gradual reintegration or temporary rest also appears conceivable.

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