Dortmund Faces Challenges with Form and Injuries

Berlin, March 6 (NationPress) The absence of winter signing Daniel Svensson due to injury is compounding the challenges faced by Borussia Dortmund. Following a disappointing 1-1 draw in the first leg of the round of 16 against Lille, the 23-year-old Swedish full-back's three-week injury layoff poses a significant hurdle for coach Niko Kovac as they aim for progress in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League.

With the second leg in France set for next Wednesday, the atmosphere in the Bundesliga remains tense. Despite a recent marginal improvement, the club is languishing at only tenth place in Germany's premier league.

While the Champions League journey could offer additional revenue, Dortmund's current form raises doubts about their competitiveness for the 2025 title. More alarmingly, there is a growing risk of missing one of the four qualification slots for the next season's tournament.

Dortmund is trailing the top four by six points in the Bundesliga and is visibly grappling with fitness concerns. Although Kovac has chosen to keep the results of a recent fitness assessment confidential, sources indicate that the outcomes were troubling.

These reports resonate with the struggles witnessed on the field against Lille last Tuesday. Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, who netted the opening goal, acknowledged fatigue but declined to use it as an excuse.

After halftime, Dortmund relinquished control of the match, continuing a trend of inconsistency that has marked their season. The German sports magazine Kicker highlighted that Kovac is burdened by past issues and questioned the players' fitness levels.

"We began well, missed several opportunities, but then our energy and focus seemed to fade," Kovac stated to Xinhua news agency.

Despite the setbacks, the coach is striving to instill confidence in his squad. "This demands a collective effort," the 53-year-old remarked. "It's still achievable, but it necessitates 100 percent commitment from all. We are making progress in crucial areas, but it will take time - we cannot simply flip a switch."

Meanwhile, looming challenges await. Reports indicate that Dortmund may need to implement significant budget cuts if they fail to secure Champions League qualification, potentially resulting in the exodus of key players such as Adeyemi, Jamie Gittens, Gregor Kobel, Serhou Guirassy, or Nico Schlotterbeck.

According to media outlet Sport Bild, contracted players could face salary reductions of up to 15 percent if objectives like qualifying for the 2025-26 Champions League are unmet.

Moreover, Dortmund's standing as a springboard for young talents seeking attention from elite European clubs may also suffer.