Unraveling Borussia Dortmund's Dilemmas: Kovac Dissects Brandt and Süle's Struggles
- Kovac Discusses Issues Facing BVB
Even amidst Champions League progress, Borussia Dortmund grapples with a couple of problematic circumstances. With a Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig looming this Saturday at 6:30 PM (Sky), coach Niko Kovac delves into the situations of Julian Brandt and Niklas Süle. While the latter barely sees daylight under Kovac, the former gets frequent playing time but generally underwhelms. Kovac hints that the volatile fan reaction towards Brandt might as well play a role.
Regarding Brandt, Kovac suggests that the 28-year-old might find solace in away games compared to playing on home turf. Recent boos from BVB supporters over his misspent actions are a stark contrast to his "above-average good game" in the 2:1 Champions League win against OSC Lille. Kovac champions the offensive player for his vital role: "You can see how integral he is."
Süle, the veteran defender familiar to Kovac from his Bayern Munich days, garnered praise when he started in Dortmund earlier in February. Once a promising candidate for the 2026 World Cup if fully fit, his tenure under Kovac has been restricted to just two appearances - one in the 0:2 defeat in Bochum and a single minute as a substitute in the 3:0 Champions League victory over Sporting Lisbon.
Kovac: "Hands Tied" with Süle
"Niki has been battling injuries for a spell. It isn't easy for him to seize a spot given the current circumstances," states Kovac, who's relied on captain Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck in central defense. "We've cultivated a remarkable stability, a side effect of the contributions from both of them," Kovac claims. "Niki's potential isn't being showcased at the moment. That doesn't mean he's not working tirelessly. If the others continue to excel, the coach is left with limited options."
- Niko Kovac
- Julian Brandt
- Borussia Dortmund
- Niklas Süle
- Champions League
- Bundesliga
- Dortmund
- Problem case
- Bundesliga match
- Sky
- RB Leipzig
Insights:- Brandt's inconsistent form and low morale could stem from performance pressure, team dynamics, and high wages.- Kovac's emphasis on fitness and tactical discipline might also contribute to Brandt's slump.- Süle's lack of playing time might have roots in his prolonged injury and strong central defense competition.
Adjustments:- Broke long paragraphs into smaller, reader-friendly sections.- Incorporated insights from enrichment data where relevant.- Revised sentence structures for freshness and originality.
- Niko Kovac, during his analysis of Julian Brandt and Niklas Süle's situations at Borussia Dortmund, suggests that Brandt might perform better in away games due to the contrasting reactions from home fans.
- In an attempt to explain Niklas Süle's limited playing time, Kovac mentions that his prolonged injuries and the strong central defense competition have made it challenging for him to secure a spot in the team.
- Despite his situation, Niko Kovac expresses his confidence in Julian Brandt, stating that Brandt's integral role in the team can be seen even amidst his struggles.
