Schlotterbeck, Ryerson and Karetsas among Dortmund doubts as Kovac gives squad update ahead of Werder clash
| Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images |
The international break has left Borussia Dortmund with several question marks ahead of their Bundesliga clash with Werder Bremen on Friday, head coach Niko Kovac revealed on Wednesday.
Most notably, Nico Schlotterbeck was forced to leave the Germany camp after picking up an injury in training, while wing-backs Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson, as well as attacking prodigy Konstantinos Karetsas, are also doubtful after returning from international duty.
“We have two players who are a little under the weather (Konstantinos Karetsas and Daniel Svensson). Mathis [Albert] is returning from America tomorrow. We also don’t know yet if Julian [Ryerson] will be fit in time for the weekend. Carney [Chukwuemeka] has brought back some minor muscular problems,” Kovac said.
“‘Schlotti’ has been working individually. The plan is for him to train with the team tomorrow. Then we’ll see whether he is ready to play or not. Anyone who knows ‘Schlotti’ knows that he always wants to play. He has that ambition," he added of Schlotterbeck.
The Dortmund coach also criticised the workload placed on players during the international break, which saw national teams play four matches.
“It was definitely too much to have to play four matches, with all the travelling involved,” Kovac said.
“You have to pick up points,” he added, referring to the competitive nature of the UEFA Nations League compared with the old system of playing friendlies.
“Personally, I preferred the old system. It’s not about us; it’s about the fact that the players are facing a completely different level of workload and need to be managed in a completely different way.”
