Kovač faces defensive crisis as Dortmund take Bundesliga momentum into Champions League play-off | OneFootball

Momentum can be a powerful ally, but only if it survives adversity. For Borussia Dortmund, the challenge ahead of their Champions League play-off against Atalanta Bergamo is exactly that: carrying domestic confidence into Europe while navigating a mounting injury crisis at the back.

Fresh off six consecutive Bundesliga victories, Dortmund arrive with belief restored. Yet the timing of their European test could scarcely be more awkward.

Defensive absences have forced head coach Niko Kovač into contingency planning just as the margins narrow. Asked about the state of his centre-backs, Kovač offered a clear assessment.

“It looks like we currently have four injured centre-backs,” said the head coach.

“Filippo Mané and Emre Can have already been out for two or three weeks. Niklas Süle picked up a thigh strain in the last game, which is why we took him off at half-time, and Schlotterbeck has muscular problems, so we will not take any risks, so he will not be an option for tomorrow’s game either.”

With Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, Emre Can, and Filippo Mané all unavailable, Dortmund’s defensive structure must be rebuilt at short notice. Rather than dwell on what is missing, Kovač framed the challenge as part of his role.

“That is the task of a coach – to always find solutions and be creative. We have already shown that we have solutions, regardless of the form. Julian Ryerson played as a centre-back in the first game against Juventus, Salih Özcan can be dropped back, and we have several options. If necessary, we can also change the system to avoid certain problems.”

Trust underpins that approach. “All those who can play this position – I’m convinced they can do it. I trust them, and by tomorrow we will definitely find a player who will fill that role.” That trust may extend to 18-year-old Luca Reggiani, who has already been handed minutes in the Bundesliga, a rapid education accelerated by necessity.

While the defensive situation dominates the build-up, Dortmund’s attacking balance has been shaped by the rise of Julian Ryerson.

His development has mirrored the team’s progress this season – steady, then suddenly decisive. Ryerson has recorded 11 Bundesliga assists so far, eight of them in 2026 alone, including a four-assist display against Mainz.

For Kovač, that output reflects sustained growth rather than a purple patch: “Julian has constantly improved here at BVB over the past years, and the data shows that. Since he moved here from Union Berlin, he has developed steadily. He is developing in a really good direction — not only here but also in the national team.”

There is an irony in Ryerson’s form coinciding with a defensive injury crisis. A deeper redeployment would remove one of Dortmund’s most effective creative outlets. Yet Kovač was clear about his value.

“Every coach and every club is grateful when they have someone who delivers the balls where they need to go. I would certainly like to give him a goal at some point, but if he keeps providing assists like this, he should continue, because then we all benefit.”

For Dortmund, the task now is mental as much as tactical. Five demanding matches in two weeks leave little room for emotional swings, and Kovač was keen to keep perspective.

“We want to take the momentum we currently have in the Bundesliga with us. We want to take this momentum together with our fans, because it is very important. It is a play-off. It is about getting through to the next round. But that doesn’t happen by talking a lot. It only happens when we work hard and perform well on the pitch.

“Against an Atalanta side built on intensity and man-to-man aggression, Dortmund know the tie will be unforgiving. “It will be very intense. I currently see the chances as 50–50. It depends on how we play the game tomorrow, so that we can hopefully travel to Italy with a good result.”

Injuries have stripped Dortmund of certainty, but form has restored belief. Over two legs, adaptability rather than perfection may decide whether Bundesliga momentum can survive the return to Europe’s hardest stage.