BVB defence: Schlotterbeck, Anton, Anselmino raise key questions | OneFootball

On Sunday, after the disappointing home draw against FK Bodö/Glimt, BVB continues in the Bundesliga. Immediately following the 2-2, Nico Schlotterbeck clearly criticized his teammates. This is just as relevant for the match in Breisgau as the situation regarding Aaron Anselmino and Waldemar Anton.

Kicker poses the relevant questions about the three defenders – and answers them as well.

The situation with the three question marks surrounding these players is remarkable, because BVB’s defense has only rarely been in the spotlight this season. Only eleven goals conceded in the Bundesliga is the second-best record behind FC Bayern Munich. In addition, Borussia Dortmund kept a clean sheet in seven of the thirteen matches played. No other club managed this more often; Leipzig matched this number.

So why is there talk about the protagonists of the BVB defense now?

In the case of Nico Schlotterbeck, his rant after the final whistle has a special significance. BVB wants to make him the new figurehead of the club, after identification figures like Marco Reus and Mats Hummels recently left the club, leaving a vacuum. But for that to happen, Nico Schlotterbeck would first have to stay in Dortmund for the long term. So far, he has not extended his contract, even though he has already been lured with an exorbitant salary.

Photo: IMAGO

Angry Schlotterbeck receives backing

Schlotterbeck is being linked in the media with FC Bayern and FC Barcelona, and apparently places increased value on being able to seriously compete for titles in his career. Accordingly, the reactions from Niko Kovac and Sebastian Kehl to Schlotterbeck’s criticism were understanding. The management is thus demonstrating harmony by expressly granting Schlotterbeck the right to such criticism. How this was received by the teammates in question and whether it could have consequences for team chemistry remains to be seen – for example, on Sunday in Freiburg.

Whether Aaron Anselmino and Waldemar Anton will be Schlotterbeck’s partners there is another question. Anton was substituted in the first half on Wednesday due to thigh problems. Anselmino was seen limping across the pitch after an unfortunate incident.

Whether these two will be fit to play by Sunday is not answered by Kicker. Emre Can and Ramy Bensebaini would likely be available as replacements, which would mean Schlotterbeck would move to the center, according to the specialist magazine. Even the long-absent Niklas Süle could be back in the squad. However, it is still too early for him to play this weekend.

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