On Monday evening Dortmund face a tough first cup round away to third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen. The main issues are in defence, but coach Niko Kovac has already identified a solution.
Borussia Dortmund head into their first competitive match of the new season with an unexpected defensive crisis that has left coach Niko Kovac facing one of his biggest early challenges since taking charge.
Monday night’s DFB-Pokal first-round tie against third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen scheduled for 20:45 at the famously intense Hafenstraße stadium was already expected to be a tricky encounter. Now, with injuries depleting the back line, the fixture has taken on an added layer of intrigue and potential risk.
At the heart of Dortmund’s current predicament is the fact that Waldemar Anton is the only fully fit, experienced centre-back in the squad who is naturally trained in the position. Anton, signed earlier this year to strengthen the defence, suddenly finds himself as the cornerstone of the back line far earlier than planned. His usual defensive partners are all sidelined, forcing Kovac into an urgent tactical rethink just days before competitive action begins.
The absentees include some of Dortmund’s most important defensive figures. Nico Schlotterbeck, a mainstay in recent seasons, remains out until at least October after undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear. Captain Emre Can, who has often been deployed in central defence when needed, is still battling persistent adductor problems that have plagued him since the end of last season. The situation worsened further during the team’s final pre-season friendly against Juventus when Niklas Süle limped off with what was later confirmed to be a torn muscle bundle in his calf an injury expected to keep him out for around two months. Losing three senior defensive options in such quick succession has left Dortmund alarmingly thin in one of the most critical areas of the pitch.
Despite these setbacks, Kovac appeared calm but pragmatic when addressing the media at Friday’s press conference. “We will certainly line up with three centre-backs in Monday’s cup match, and we’ll manage that,” he said. “We have a few options. We can play Filippo Mane there, who has done well in pre-season. We can also play Julian Ryerson there. So yes, we do have players for that position.” His comments hinted at a willingness to trust youth and adaptability, even in a high-stakes knockout scenario.
Ramy Bensebaini is all but certain to start on the left side of the back three, with Anton holding the central role. The right centre-back position, however, has been the subject of intense speculation among fans and journalists alike. Kovac’s shortlist is down to two names: the versatile Norwegian Julian Ryerson and the young talent Filippo Mane. Mane, a 20-year-old who has so far only made five appearances in the 3. Liga for Dortmund’s second team, is considered raw but promising.
Kovac did not shy away from revealing his likely choice. Speaking about Mane, he said: “I have full confidence. BVB is a club that also believes in young players. If we don’t give him the opportunity now in a first-round cup game against a third-division side… I think he can do it. Unless something unexpected happens in training, he will be given that trust and we are in good spirits.” The coach’s words were a clear sign that Mane is in line for a rare and significant start a potential career milestone for the youngster.
While the defensive situation has been decided largely by circumstance, other parts of the team sheet remain highly competitive. “The boys are making it very difficult for me,” Kovac admitted with a smile. “I’m happy about that because now I have a bit of a headache. It would be bad if it were the other way around and too easy. There will be tough decisions, that’s for sure.” The competition for midfield and attacking positions, he noted, has been fierce in pre-season, giving him more than one selection dilemma.
Still, Kovac is under no illusions about the challenge ahead. Hafenstraße is known for its tight, atmospheric setting and passionate home support, factors that have made Rot-Weiss Essen a tricky opponent for many visiting sides over the years. Essen may have opened their 3. Liga campaign with two draws, but last season they were the second-best team in the league during the second half of the campaign a run of form that has given them belief they can trouble even top-flight opposition.
“Third-division side, away from home, great atmosphere: we’re going to have to work hard there, it won’t be easy,” Kovac warned. “We have clear ambitions and want to go through. The shortest route to a title is the DFB-Pokal. It’s always an advantage when you already have two competitive matches in your legs. As a Bundesliga side, we don’t yet really know where we stand.” His remarks underlined the potential pitfalls of facing a team already in competitive rhythm, while Dortmund are still transitioning from pre-season to the intensity of official matches.
On paper, Dortmund remain heavy favourites, boasting superior quality and depth even with their injury list. But Kovac’s message to his squad was crystal clear: “We will take this opponent very seriously, only then will we have a chance to progress to the next round. We have to impose our game. We have to deliver our performance, and that cannot be at 95 percent it has to be 100 percent.”
For Dortmund, the match is about more than just progression in the cup it is an early test of resilience, squad depth, and the willingness of young players to seize their opportunity. For Kovac, it’s a balancing act between managing an injury-hit defence and ensuring his team avoids a potentially embarrassing early exit. For fans, it’s a chance to see how a new-look BVB handles adversity right from the start of a season that promises both high expectations and high pressure.
