Kovac gives update on Dortmund squad ahead of Augsburg clash

Niko Kovac has provided an update on his Borussia Dortmund squad ahead of Saturday’s home game against Augsburg.

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac has named three absentees for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Augsburg.

“It looks as though Daniel Svensson will be out for a while after taking a rough kick against Lille,” Kovac said at a press conference on Friday afternoon. 

“Carney Chukwuemeka trained with us today, but didn’t give the all-clear after the session. He doesn’t feel 100% ready for the game. Apart from them and Nmecha, everyone else will be fine and healthy.”

Although the game against Augsburg comes between two crucial Champions League last-16 clashes with Lille, Kovac doesn’t plan to rotate much.

“We have an important Bundesliga game coming up against FC Augsburg. We take FCA very seriously. We have to be very serious and focused. So we’re not going to change that much. Because of Svensson’s absence, someone else will play, we’re forced to do that. But other than that, not much will change,” he stressed.

One player who rarely gets a break is star striker Serhou Guirassy. 

“He’s is a very important player, our life insurance. He is being treated in such a way that he plays as much as possible, although I would like to rest him more. But we only have one traditional striker, so he has to play a lot. The fact that it’s Ramadan now doesn’t make it any easier for him, but he’s an absolute professional and he’ll manage that too,” said Kovac.