Kovac offers differing takes on Otavio and Baku
VfL Wolfsburg trainer Niko Kovac, pressed about his continued experimentation in his defensive ranks, spoke on Paulo Otavio and Ridle Baku at a Thursday presser.
Niko Kovac continues to shuffle his lineup wildly amid what has been a pretty tame start to the season for Germany's green company team. The VfL Wolfsburg trainer has tried out many different variations in attack, midfield, and (most recently) in defense. A back-four featuring Paulo Otavio and Sebastiaan Bornauw as the fullbacks struck many as a curious choice in last Saturday's 0-0 draw with Schalke.
Bornauw was ultimately subbed off for Ridle Baku at the half. Speaking to reporters at a Thursday presser, Kovac once again nevertheless had criticisms to offer the former star German youth international who has garnered four German senior side caps, yet seems to be regarded by many as inconsistent.
"Ridle has to do a lot more defensively," Kovac said of the right-back, who can also play up much higher on the wing, "Going forward, it's fine, but going back, it just wasn't that good."
Based on such comments, it appears unlikely that Kovac will employ a back-four against Leipzig this weekend. A much more likely scenario would see the VfL gaffer attempt to match Domenico Tedesco's back three with one of his own. Virtually any Wolfsburg player with offensive experience on the right could serve as the right-wingback.
In terms of who the left wingback might be, Kovac's praise for Otavio seemed to suggest he would deploy the Brazilian once again.
"He came and did very well," Kovac said of the 27-year-old, who is returning from injury, "I would have liked to have him sooner, but he was not yet ready."
An ostensible back three would feature Bornauw, Maxence Lacroix, and Micky van de Ven.