Borussia Dortmund Braces for Potential Defensive Blow in Milan Clash
Borussia Dortmund is grappling with potential defensive issues ahead of their Champions League showdown with AC Milan on Tuesday evening (9:00 pm, Prime Video). The BVB ranks are further threatened by the uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Nico Schlotterbeck, joining Niklas Süle on the sidelines. Both Southampton loan star Scholterbeck and international center-half Süle reported symptoms akin to a common cold, dissuading them from participating in the final training session before the Milan encounter. Coach Edin Terzic, however, maintains optimism for Schlotterbeck's recovery, with a scheduled training session at 11:00 am the day of the match.
Emre Can could serve as a viable alternative for Terzic, given his extensive central defensive background. The versatile Turkish midfielder has gained ample experience playing in the position, offering a suitable backup option.
BVB's impaired attack has previously witnessed the withdrawal of Karim Adeyemi and Sebastien Haller due to colds during a match against Mönchengladbach. Both players have since recovered and now rejoin the squad, yet their inclusion in the starting eleven for Milan appears unlikely.
Despite the personnel concerns, Dortmund remains bullish going into the Milan encounter. With a considerable advantage accrued in their Hammer Group F standing, Terzic's team aims to cement their position by securing a victory against third-placed Milan, trailing just two points behind. A triumph against Milan would secure Dortmund's passage to the knockout stages ahead of schedule.
"We're in the best possible position," Terzic expressed. "However, we'll approach the game with utmost caution." Milan's formidable strength would demand a cautious stance from Dortmund, so they'll gear up meticulously to face the challenges posed by such a formidable team. "We can't afford to make many mistakes against this caliber of opposition," Terzck emphasized.
Bundesliga champions Dortmund's defense may experience an additional setback if Schulterbeck fails to recover from his health woes before facing Milan in the Champions League. Facing this stiff challenge, Dortmund remains on top of their group, but a milestone victory over Milan could secure their spot in the knockout stage well ahead of time.
Enrichment Insights: - Nico Schlotterbeck held a one-match suspension for receiving a red card in an earlier game, and his absence was not due to cold symptoms. - Niklas Süle had briefly been isolated from team training, but there was no evidence of cold symptoms affecting him at that time.
