Small squad for BVB: four stars miss out in Freiburg | OneFootball

Before the away match against SC Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund is plagued by major personnel problems. BVB coach Niko Kovac has to do without four key players.

Borussia Dortmund will have to play the Bundesliga away match at SC Freiburg on Sunday (3:30 p.m.) with a severely depleted squad. The personnel situation at the Black and Yellows has worsened further in recent days, so coach Niko Kovac will have to do without four professionals—including, surprisingly, Julian Brandt.

The attacking midfielder had recently drawn attention with strong performances, scoring both in the Champions League against Bodø/Glimt and previously in the Bundesliga. Despite his brace in the 2-2 draw on Wednesday, Brandt did not travel to Freiburg on Saturday. According to Ruhr Nachrichten, the 28-year-old is carrying a knock and is not available to BVB at short notice.

The absences of the two central defenders Waldemar Anton and Aarón Anselmino have been known for some time. Both had to be substituted due to injury in the match against Bodø/Glimt and were already missing when the team departed for Breisgau. Anton grabbed the back of his thigh early on and left the stadium limping, while Anselmino injured his foot or ankle area while trying to clear the ball. At the pre-match press conference on Thursday, Kovac was unable to provide a final update, but by Saturday it was clear that the duo would not be available.

BVB also without Brandt and Sabitzer in Freiburg

Marcel Sabitzer is also out again. The midfielder had already missed the Champions League match due to muscle tightness and is still not fit enough to play. This means Dortmund will be without three players against Freiburg who were still in the starting eleven during the week.

Due to these absences, BVB is traveling with only a mini-squad. According to Ruhr Nachrichten, only 18 players are included in the matchday squad, including three goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Alexander Meyer, and Patrick Drewes. Especially in defense, Kovac will have to improvise: In the back three, alongside Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can and Ramy Bensebaini are likely options for the vacant positions.

The personnel situation presents BVB with an additional challenge, after the 2-2 draw against Bodø/Glimt had already been a setback. In Freiburg, the team is now aiming to deliver a sporting response despite the absences.

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