Dortmund injury worries before Inter clash, Kovač gives update | OneFootball

Showdown against Inter Milan. For Borussia Dortmund, everything is still possible in the Champions League. BVB can directly advance to the round of 16, reach the playoffs, or even be eliminated after the league phase. After the match on Wednesday (January 28, 9 PM), the Black and Yellows will know where they stand.

The composition of the defense is likely to cause Niko Kovač (54) some headaches. In the duel with the Nerazzurri, Niklas Süle (30/back issues) and Marcel Sabitzer (31/calf problems) are absent due to injuries. Daniel Svensson (23) is serving a suspension following his red card from the match against Tottenham (0:2).

To make matters worse, FC Chelsea recalled their loan player Aarón Anselmino (20) in a sudden move back to the Thames – much to the annoyance of BVB. Gregor Kobel (28) regrets the sudden departure of the center-back. "He was a great guy," the goalkeeper raved on Tuesday at the press conference before the encounter with the Italians. "I'm sad that we don't have him anymore."

Kovač would have liked to keep Anselmino in his ranks as well. However, the head coach points to alternatives in the squad. With Waldemar Anton (29), Nico Schlotterbeck (26), Emre Can (32), Ramy Bensebaini (30), and Filippo Mane (20), he has five center-backs. "That should be enough to compensate for a loss," the native Berliner is convinced.

Mane has made a "big leap"

In the future, he expects a lot from young Mane. "He is a player who has developed very well," he says about the Italian U21 international. The defender is a good example "that young players can make a big leap in half a year." The 20-year-old possesses "quality, which is why he is in our squad," Kovač concludes.

Against Inter, the BVB coach is aiming for victory. "We want to win to have a good starting position for the possible next round," he emphasizes. "Especially internationally, it is of immense importance that you stand compact," Kovač demands a united appearance from his team. However: "We also want to play forward and get the crowd on our side. Then a lot is possible against this very good opponent. Balance is important."

The Dortmund coach relies on the support of his own fans. "The Yellow Wall definitely has a big influence," Kovač is convinced. "It does something to every player on the field."

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