Ahead of Hoffenheim clash: Kovač announces Süle's return | OneFootball

"We can draw from the full." Against TSG Hoffenheim (December 7, 5:30 PM), Niko Kovač (54) faces a selection dilemma. After his five-week forced break due to a toe injury, Niklas Süle (30) returns.

The head coach of Borussia Dortmund respects the Kraichgau team, who have been unbeaten in the Bundesliga for six matches. "They already have as many wins as in the entire last season," Kovač praised the next opponent at the press conference on Friday before the match. "TSG leads the away table and hasn't lost a game. They are currently in exceptionally good form." Only FC Bayern Munich performed as well as Hoffenheim in the past six rounds, collecting 16 points during this period.

During the week, Kovač and the team suffered a bitter setback. Against Bayer Leverkusen, the Black and Yellows were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal after a 0:1 home defeat. The offense was particularly disappointing. Despite 20:6 shots on goal and 11:0 corners, the ball wouldn't go into the opponent's net. "There is certainly room for improvement," the BVB coach is dissatisfied with the corner kick execution. "We need to improve in this area."

Happy about Meyer's Stay

"We were very disappointed after the cup exit," the football coach reflects. But there isn't much time to process the defeat. "We need to erase the disappointment," demands Kovač, "an important match is coming up." In the Bundesliga, BVB won 2:1 at the BayArena, but suffered a defeat at home. "We lost our better game against Leverkusen," the native Berliner is convinced. "Now we have to get back up."

With Alexander Meyer (34) staying on board, the backup goalkeeper remains. The veteran recently extended his contract until 2027. Kovač is pleased: "First and foremost, he is a great goalkeeper and also a great person. He is always ready to guard the goal when needed. A thoroughly positive guy." Since 2022, Meyer has been ready to step in should Gregor Kobel (27) be unavailable.

A contract extension for Nico Schlotterbeck (26) would certainly be welcomed by Kovač. However, there is nothing new to report. The BVB coach knows that the center-back is "not at all influenced" by the uncertain future. "We all hope that he continues with us."

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