Schlotterbeck returns for Dortmund – Kovac warns of Wolfsburg | OneFootball

Looking back is necessary. The wild 4:4 in the Champions League at Juventus Turin continues to occupy Niko Kovač (53). "The team played a good away game for 93 minutes," notes the head coach of Borussia Dortmund. "In the end, it remains a 4:4. The guys deprived themselves of their laurels."

With the 4:2 lead, his team "didn't finish things off as a top team should." The result was two Turin goals deep in injury time. "We discussed it again and need to take the positives with us," Kovač hopes for improvement already in the home game against VfL Wolfsburg (September 21, 7:30 PM).

The head coach still has to do without the long-term injured Emre Can (31), Niklas Süle (30), and Julian Duranville (19). Newcomer Fábio Silva (23) participated in parts of team training for the first time on Friday but still needs time. However, an appearance by Aarón Anselmino (20) is not ruled out, who had to take a break due to muscular problems after his strong debut against Union Berlin (3:0). "We have to see tomorrow if it's enough for Sunday," says Kovač at the press conference before the match against Wolfsburg.

Eriksen set for debut at Wolfsburg

Last on March 30, 2025 (3:1 against Mainz 05), Nico Schlotterbeck was on the field for Borussia Dortmund. A meniscus tear forced the 25-year-old central defender to take a break. Against the Lower Saxony team, he is likely to return to the squad. "Nico Schlotterbeck trained fully today, and after Turin, he also completed the substitute training," informs Kovač. "If he feels good tomorrow, he is an option for the squad on Sunday."

Like BVB, VfL is still unbeaten this season. The head coach therefore warns against his former club, where he was in charge for 66 games from 2022 to 2024. "A lot of quality, a lot of class," praises Kovač of his former club. "In addition, there's Christian Eriksen." The 33-year-old midfield director, who almost ended up in Dortmund, was signed by the Lower Saxony team on a free transfer. The Danish record international is set for his competitive debut. "I expect a difficult opponent to play against, who, also because of my past, does not want me and us to win," the football coach is convinced.

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