Starting XI shock at BVB: Kovac puts Schlotterbeck straight back in | OneFootball

After nearly three months out, Nico Schlotterbeck is making his BVB comeback. Against Paderborn, the defender is surprisingly back straight into the starting lineup.

Borussia Dortmund want to maintain their perfect Bundesliga start against SC Paderborn. In the home match on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Signal Iduna Park, coach Niko Kovac is making headlines above all with one personnel decision: Nico Schlotterbeck returns directly to the starting XI after nearly three months out injured.

The center-back suffered medial ligament damage in his left ankle in the second World Cup match against Ivory Coast. After 84 days out, he is now celebrating his comeback. The 26-year-old has only been back training fully with the team since Wednesday – apparently without any problems.

Even before the match, Kovac had given the green light for the returns of both Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini. “They are fit, healthy and available for the weekend,” the BVB coach explained. Sporting director Ole Book was also pleased with the national team player’s progress. “He looks very good,” said Book, adding: “His mood always improves a bit when he can play football again and train with the team.”

BVB start against Paderborn with Schlotterbeck and Silva

But Schlotterbeck’s return is not the only surprise in Dortmund’s starting lineup. Against the promoted side, Kovac is opting for a front two of Fabio Silva and Serhou Guirassy. New signing Ethan Nwaneri also starts. BVB go into the match as clear favorites. Dortmund won their first two Bundesliga games and could make it a perfect nine points with another victory.

Photo: IMAGO

The record also clearly favors the Black and Yellows: of seven competitive matches against Paderborn, BVB won five and drew two. Dortmund have already scored 28 goals in those games. Paderborn, meanwhile, arrive on the back of a long winless run. Across seasons, the promoted club have gone 17 Bundesliga matches without a victory. Dortmund want to extend that streak – and at the same time celebrate their fifth straight competitive win.

The lineups:

Dortmund: Kobel – Gadou, Schlotterbeck, Anton – Ryerson, Veerman, Bellingham, Svensson – Nwaneri – Silva, Guirassy BVB bench: Meyer – Reggiani, Bensebaini, Prates, Bellingham, Chukwuemeka, Sabitzer, Albert, Beier.

Paderborn: Noll – ter Horst, Scheller, Hansen – Curda, Ulrich, Castaneda, Vidovic, Obermair – Pieringer, Marino

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