Niko Kovac don make one squad decision wey surprise many people for Borussia Dortmund before Saturday away game against Union Berlin. Ruhr Nachrichten report say Filippo Mane and Luca Reggiani no go dey first-team squad for the difficult trip to the capital. Instead, dem expect the two young defenders to play for Borussia Dortmund reserves against SC Wiedenbrück for Regionalliga West.
The decision surprise because Nico Schlotterbeck no play Wednesday Champions League match against Bodø/Glimt as the club dey manage im workload. The vice-captain injure im ankle while e dey with national team, but e still make surprise start against Werder Bremen last Friday. Whether e don fully fit still dey in doubt.
Alongside Schlotterbeck, Waldemar Anton and new signing Joane Gadou likely to start for back three. That go leave Ramy Bensebaini as the only backup. Bensebaini replace Schlotterbeck for starting line-up in Norway on Wednesday and e turn in solid, alert performance.
Against Union Berlin on Saturday, the centre-backs no get room for any problem. If any problem happen, Kovac decision to play with fire fit backfire badly.
Last weekend, Mane and Reggiani play for Borussia Dortmund reserves against Wattenscheid, like say na to finally get playing time. Mane, wey bin dey sideline with muscle injury, start before Reggiani replace am after break. Reggiani bin spend another 90 minutes for bench against Werder Bremen previous evening.
First-team minutes scarce for both centre-backs this season. Mane at least get 138 minutes across three appearances. Reggiani, one of last season surprise emerging players, make just two appearances, totalling 50 minutes.
By summer, e don already clear say Mane go move ahead of Reggiani for internal centre-back pecking order. For second half of last season, serious injury problems and shocking departure of loan player Aaron Anselmino give Reggiani im chance. E break into first team and even start eight of possible 16 competitive matches. In mid-March, e score im first Bundesliga goal against FC Augsburg and later earn professional contract.
The tables turn in summer: Mane suddenly ahead, and Gadou arrival reduce Reggiani chances of playing for first team to minimum. Reggiani turn down possible move in summer, but now dem say e don change im mind, with winter transfer considered likely. A winter transfer fit bring Borussia Dortmund substantial sum.
