Comeback over 90 minutes: Schlotterbeck returns in impressive style | OneFootball

During the week, it was already becoming apparent that Nico Schlotterbeck would be included in Borussia Dortmund’s squad for the first time since suffering a meniscus tear on April 7. However, it was surprising that coach Niko Kovac sent the center-back straight onto the pitch from the start, 175 days after his last competitive match. Apparently, though, it was not a surprise for Schlotterbeck himself, who contributed to the 1-0 home win against VfL Wolfsburg with a remarkably strong performance.

The long break was not noticeable in Schlotterbeck’s play at all. On the contrary, the 25-year-old immediately resumed an important role in building up play, finishing with 92 touches of the ball and a pass completion rate of 91 percent. The returning player repeatedly played his trademark diagonal balls – such as before Karim Adeyemi’s golden goal, when the visitors quickly lost a ball that Schlotterbeck had actually intercepted, allowing BVB to capitalize on the resulting disorganization.

“I tried to play the balls I feel comfortable with,” Schlotterbeck emphasized afterwards, and revealed on “DAZN” that he had ultimately decided on his own inclusion in the lineup: “I’ve been working towards this game against Wolfsburg for the past two or three weeks. The coach asked me yesterday if I was up for it and how much I could give. I said: Put me in. I worked hard for this for six months and I’m incredibly happy.”

Praise from the Coach and Teammates

Coach Kovac was not only pleased with Schlotterbeck himself, but also gave high praise to everyone involved in his comeback: “Compliments to the rehab team. That’s exactly how I imagine it when a long-term injured player returns. That he can immediately go full throttle for 90 minutes, and today was a great example of that.”

Schlotterbeck’s fellow players are also glad to have their leader back. “Nico worked hard. Playing 90 minutes is not a given after such a long time out. He played an outstanding game and didn’t let anything slip,” praised fellow defender Waldemar Anton, echoing the sentiments of goal scorer Adeyemi, who made no secret of having missed Schlotterbeck: “It’s only good when such a good defender is playing for us again. He has a strong left foot, plays balls into space. Diagonal balls are his strength. But not only that. Defensively, he is very solid and gives us even more security.”

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