Borussia Dortmund can jell out the European Cup places at the Bundesliga game in Freiburg on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.). The BVB travels to Breisgau with tailwind, but has to deal with personnel problems on the defensive.
The convincing victory against Champions League candidate Mainz 05 last weekend fueled the well-known hopes for a sustainable increase in performance in Dortmund. Trainer Niko Kovac had changed his system and converted his previously practiced 4-2-3-1 into a formation with a triple chain and double tip-a plan that was perfectly against the Rheinhessen.
The assumption that Kovac trusts the same formation at the next European Cup aspirant from Freiburg would therefore be obvious – if it weren’t for the problem with the failing players. “We currently have two central defenders who are struck, one is closed”Kovac reported and thus brought the problem to the point.
Schlotterbeck closed, can and süle questionable
Nico Schlotterbeck, against Mainz, mainly because of his two goals in the corner of the celebrated hero, is missing from his ex-club Freiburg yellow. His lack of Dortmund is probably the most. “Schlotti is a very, very important part of our defense series, whether three or four chains doesn’t matter”said Kovac. “I hope we can compensate for this. If we have all on board, we can.”
Schlotterbeck’s failure in theory could compensate for several candidates. Waldemar Anton and Emre can defend against Mainz next to Schlotterbeck, Anton will do this again in Freiburg. Captain Can, on the other hand, laboratories on adductor problems that he took from the Mainz game with him and is questionable.
But that’s not all: Niklas Süle, after injury comeback by Kovac in February. “Strong hematoma on the pelvic crest” Covered and could not train like Can during the week. Süle, replacement candidate number two, also wobbles.
Bensbaini back to the starting eleven
Ramy Bensebaini, recently substituted twice, should have his starting eleven place in view of the difficult personnel situation in the BVB defensive-whether on his regular position in left defense or as a left-back. Behind it it gets thin on the central defensive, Talent Filippo Mané has been out with a muscle injury for a long time.
Kovac didn’t want to be looked at the cards, spoke of the final training that he wanted to wait. You become “Then decide what it will be on the weekend“, Says the 53-year-old with a view of staff and formation. If things go very unfavorably, Kovac only remains an operational central defender in Anton.
Guirassy back, Adeyemi and Beier on the upswing
After all: the offensive occupation prepares less headaches for the Dortmund coaching team. In view of the recovery of striker Serhou Guirassy (“We assume that we can integrate it on Friday and that it may also be available”) Quite the question of the storm occupation, but the two hopes of the previous week are fit.
Double leadership as a permanent solution: Karim Adeyemi (left) and Maxi Beier
Maximilian Beier and Karim Adeyemi formed a double tip, a constellation rarely seen at BVB in recent years. But one who brought success and two players who had already gone through the BVB valleys perfectly. “Maxi has been making really good progress since I’ve been there”received a special praise from Kovac. “He gives us speed and diligence”.
Guirassy in front, flanked by Beier and Adeyemi? Beier and Adeyemi again as a double lead, Guirassy comes from the bank? Here, too, Kovac has to puzzle, especially in Jamie Gitten (“He works hard and will give us what he has shown in the back series in the next games – namely many goals”) another offensive force is pushing into the team. Midfielder Felix Nmecha is also a candidate for season after his lengthy ligament injury in the knee.
Kovac wants to be “flexible and variable”
There should also be a lot on the offensive on which formation Kovac chooses, which in turn is directly related to personnel questions: three or four chains, double leadership and/or guirassy – there are some tasks for Kovac, but he does not want to overestimate the puzzle. “It is always fluid. We want to be flexible and variable. The opponent should not be able to calculate us.”
And yet the personnel problems come to the wrong time. The opponent Freiburg is the table seventh, BVB ranks in tenth place with four points behind the SC – it is a great chance for the Dortmund to catch up with a competitor in the European Cup race. The personnel and formation puzzle is particularly inconvenient in this game.
Our sources:
- BVB press conference on April 3, 2025
- Reports and statistics overview of Sportschau.de
