BVB has personnel concerns in defense before the Mainz game

“I’m not worried at all, we have enough quality,” said the BVB coach. With Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini and Niklas Süle, BVB currently only has three central defenders for the three-man defense chain. Nevertheless, Kovac said: “We have the opportunity to present and we want to do that and get the three points.” BVB can get within three points of leaders FC Bayern Munich, who only play Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Kovac praises the young talent

Full-back Julian Ryerson can also play in central defense. In addition, the coach relies on young talent. Luca Reggiani made his Bundesliga debut for a few minutes on the last matchday. “If there is a need, I’m not afraid to use him again,” said Kovac about the 18-year-old.

Five games in two weeks

The game against the resurgent Mainz team, who recently won three games in a row, is the start of two intense weeks for Dortmund: five games in 16 days – in addition to the playoffs in the Champions League against Atalanta Bergamo, there are the top games against RB Leipzig and FC Bayern. “But the most important game now is Mainz: If we could win, that would help us to relax and watch the Bundesliga at the weekend and prepare for Bergamo and so on,” said Kovac.