BVB’s big asset unsatisfied with playing time under Kovac

Jamie Gittens only played 12 minutes in Borussia Dortmund’s back-to-back Bundesliga wins.

For the first time this season, Borussia Dortmund recorded back-to-back league wins. While they wrapped up the results against Union Berlin and St. Pauli with relative ease, Englishman Jamie Gittens is now becoming an afterthought following his altercations with fans in Bochum.

Dortmund’s second top-scorer only played less than 10 minutes in both games. Despite the €100 million tag slapped on the winger, it feels like Gittens is struggling to maintain his form under the tutelage of Niko Kovac.

In an interview with Bild, Sebastian Kehl admits the difficulties the 20-year-old faces. “You can tell that he is frustrated at the moment. But, in the end, it’s about the team. And, Jamie knows that too,” said Dortmund’s sporting director. “He is still incredibly important for the club and has made himself a difference maker. However, it’s good for us to have this competitive situation.”

While Julian Brandt was also a late substitute in Millerntor, Karim Adeyemi had a strong performance as he attempted six shots for the first time in his Bundesliga career. Dortmund will host LOSC Lille, who lost 4-1 at PSG yesterday, in the Champions League Round of 16 tie. Gittens started each of the previous nine European games for Dortmund.