BVB team news: Kovac gives all-clear on two players | OneFootball

The fact that defensive all-rounder Daniel Svensson and new signing Konstantinos Karetsas were not on the training pitch with the team on Monday morning was planned, as Niko Kovac emphasized: “That was completely normal today. It can always happen that we let one or two players recover in the dressing room or the gym. Both are perfectly healthy and options for the game.”

The situation is different for Filippo Mane. The 21-year-old had to be substituted in the first half of the previous Bundesliga match at TSG Hoffenheim due to a muscle injury and will be out for the time being, as Kovac confirmed: “We assume nothing will happen before the international break. He will certainly only return after that. Unfortunately, things like this are part of the game. In terms of training load and training management, everything was top-notch; he had really good endurance and strength levels.”

The BVB coach continued to encourage Mane, who has repeatedly been set back by injuries in recent times: “He’ll get through this too, and it will make him even stronger again!”

High praise from Kovac for BVB captain Anton

In addition, long-term absentees Giannis Konstantelias and Emre Can will also be missing for the Black and Yellows against FC Villarreal.

Nico Schlotterbeck has recently been able to complete some initial exercises with the ball again, while Ramy Bensebaini is close to returning to the BVB squad after his rib bruise. However, both are still suspended for the Champions League match against the Spaniards, for which a limited number of tickets are still available in the online ticket shop. They were shown red and second-yellow red respectively in the playoff second leg in Bergamo.

That means Waldemar Anton is once again called upon as captain and leader of Dortmund’s defensive line. Speaking about the current BVB skipper ahead of the Villarreal match, Niko Kovac said: “Waldi is a leader! But what matters much more to me is this: he is someone who leads from the front. Someone who lives, thinks, eats, and sleeps football 24/7. He never gives up and gives everything for the team. He is a role model, and that is exactly what you need. With his manner, his performances, and his presence, he brings other players with him.” Mats-Yannick Roth

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