Niko Kovač recently criticized
BVB duo not in Freiburg as punishment
12/14/2025 – 9:32 a.mReading time: 1 min.
They are young and could achieve a lot, but they would have to show commitment. This is exactly what BVB coach Kovač misses with two players.
Borussia Dortmund could overtake RB Leipzig with a win at SC Freiburg on Sunday afternoon (from 3:30 p.m. in the t-online live ticker). The Saxons had recently suffered a defeat. Should BVB take three points from Breisgau, coach Niko Kovač’s team would be Bayern’s pursuers. However, the coach deliberately does not rely on two players in Freiburg.
As “Sport 1” and “Kicker” both report, Julien Duranville and Cole Campbell are missing from the squad on Sunday afternoon. This probably has disciplinary reasons. Kovač has already expressed criticism of both in the past. He recently said about Duranville: “We are at BVB and there are really good players at BVB. That’s him too, but the others are better.”
According to “Kicker”, Duranville is said to have arrived late for the final training session on Saturday and, according to the trade magazine, had previously behaved listlessly in units. The same applies to Campbell.
The coach’s step is considerable and has a signal effect, as Niko Kovač is already missing Waldemar Anton, Aarón Anselmino, Marcel Sabitzer and Julian Brandt due to injury. Kovač also did without Durvanville and Campbell in the 2-0 win against TSG Hoffenheim.
Duranville came to Dortmund in 2023 and has since played 27 games for the professionals. He missed the start of this season due to a sprained acromioclavicular joint. Campbell has been under contract with BVB since 2024.