BVB Tackles Milan Without Süle's Shield
Borussia Dortmund (BVB) faces a defensive hurdle in their upcoming Champions League clash against AC Milan. The German powerhouse revealed that star central defender Niklas Süle will miss the match on Tuesday, 9 p.m./Amazon Prime, due to health concerns [1]. However, forward Sébastien Haller and winger Karim Adeyemi, who were sidelined during the 4-2 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach, joined the BVB squad for their departure from Dortmund Airport to Italy. Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer remains injured, while Felix Nmecha and Julien Duranville are still battling long-term injuries.
BVB currently sits in fourth place in the Bundesliga and holds a slim two-point advantage over Milan, which lies in third. A win would propel the German squad into the preliminary knockout stage of the Champions League with a match to spare. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl acknowledged the challenge, remarking, "Going to Milan as league leaders is something we've worked hard for in recent weeks. But we know that we have a tough task ahead of us there tomorrow" [1].
With Süle's unavailability, BVB's defense will certainly feel the impact. The versatile defender often anchors the backline, providing instrumental cover for goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. However, the team has displayed resilience in recent matches, and manager Niko Kovac will likely need to adapt his tactics to minimize the effect of Süle's absence.
Key player replacements might include Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Emre Can as the central defenders, while Julian Ryerson and Yan Couto would presumably man the left and right midfield positions, respectively [2]. If Süle is an integral cog in the BVB machine, Kovac might need to devise alternative strategies to protect his backline and maintain their rhythm.
Enrichment Data: - BVB’s current lineup is anticipated to consist of Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Emre Can at central defense, and Julian Ryerson and Yan Couto on the left and right midfield positions [2]. - Niklas Süle's recovery is expected to last until February 1, keeping him out of Tuesday's Milan clash [2]. - The depth of BVB's squad will be put to the test in the absence of Süle, who usually serves as a crucial component of the defense.
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