Niko Kovač Provides New Updates on Couto, Gittens and More

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·28 febbraio 2025

Niko Kovač Provides New Updates on Couto, Gittens and More

BVB manager Niko Kovač spoke about injuries and who might get some extra minutes against St. Pauli tomorrow. The Black-and-Yellows will face the Kiezkicker for the Bundesliga matchday week 24 and hope to continue a positive streak following the 6-nil home win against Union Berlin. Kovač spoke on the most recent injury updates and the squad for tomorrow:

"The fact is that Felix Nmecha is still not there. I reckon he will be back at the end of March. Julian Ryerson has a slight flu-like infection. We tried today, but he does not feel well enough yet and is, therefore, out of the squad tomorrow."Niko Kovač

With Ryerson's absence from St. Pauli, the question is who will be his substitute. Niklas Süle was the chosen one against Bochum, but his poor performance in that game might generate some debates on who should start as BVB right-back:

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"Yan, Niki, and maybe Waldi are the players who can play the right-back position. Yan Couto played 10 minutes in the last game and did a few things well. You can see that he is at home at full-back, certainly more as a wing-back out of the back three, but I am convinced that he can also do that as a right-back."Niko Kovač

After paying compliments to Yan Couto, the Brazilian might finally get a starting spot under Kovač, but the Croatian asked for patience with South American talent:

"He (Couto) will gradually get his minutes. The ones currently playing there, i.e., Julian Ryerson, are doing well, which means the others will have to be patient to get the chance."Niko Kovač

Besides Couto, another player who lost some spotlight under Kovač is Jamie Gittens. The young Brit was benched after a couple of underwhelming performances, and his substitute, Maxi Beier, had a pretty good display against Union, summing up one goal and two assists. However, Kovač also praised Gittens, alluding to a possible return to the starting XI:

"Jamie Gittens was totally focused and lively during training. I have a luxury problem in this position. Everyone has to step on the gas, but I am leaving that open for the game on Saturday."Niko Kovač

He also mentioned Julian Brandt, saying he will be a bench alternative on Saturday, but raised awareness on his muscle issues and how he should not rush for the number 10's quick return to the starting role:

"Julian Brandt is an alternative, but we have to see how we do it. A muscle thing like this is not without danger, so we will have to make the right decision for the upcoming games so as not to take any unnecessary risks."Niko Kovač

At last, the BVB manager paid respects to his opponent. Kovač does not expect a similar scoreboard to the Union match but requires full concentration and teamwork to break one of the most prominent Bundesliga defensive lines:

"St. Pauli does not score many goals, but with a goal difference of 18:27, they also concede damn little. We have to do a lot to create chances. They defend in a very compact formation, where everyone puts themselves at the service of the team."Niko Kovač