Kovac's dilemma forces him to choose among three internal options

Am Samstag, 12 September, BVB‑Trainer Niko Kovac will have to do without the newly‑signed offensive Greek Konstantinos Karetsas, while the coach weighs three options to replace the absent player. The decision comes ahead of Borussia Dortmund's home game against SC Paderborn in the second round of the Bundesliga‑Saison.

Der BVB empfängt am Samstag SC Paderborn im Heimspiel der neuen Bundesliga‑Saison. It will be the club's second home fixture of the campaign. Without Karetsas, the squad must adapt its attacking shape.

Konstantinos Karetsas, the Neuzugang Offensivspieler, is sidelined with Kreislaufbeschwerden. The Griechen's pause forces a Suche nach Ersatz for the attacking midfield role. Kovac now faces the Qual der Wahl in his selection.

Potential replacements

Drei Optionen stehen dem Trainer zur Verfügung. Each option offers a different balance of youth, experience and tactical flexibility. Kovac must decide which player best fits the upcoming challenge.

Ethan Nwaneri, who has been at the club for only a few Wochen, is the most likely to earn a Startelfeinsatz. In brief appearances against TSG Hoffenheim and FC Villareal he impressed, and he was the decisive Spieler in his Bundesliga debut. KOvac praised his composure after the Villareal cameo.

Fabio Silva, the Portuguese forward, has shown a comet‑like rise in recent matches and links well with Serhou Guirassy. However, starting him would rob Kovac of his strongest Einwechselspieler, reducing the quality on the bench. His partnership with Guirassy could unlock space for the midfield runners.

Top‑talent Mathis Albert earned his first start in the DFB‑Pokal match against HEBC. After the game, Kovac publicly praised the US‑American, calling his performance a Bewerbung for more Bundesliga Einsätze. If given the chance, Albert could become a regular fixture in the league side.

Marcel Sabitzer, the Austrian, already featured in the position against Villareal and would represent the defensivste Option. Selecting him could add stability but may limit attacking thrust.

Der contrast between the loss of a fresh attacking talent and the variety of internal alternatives highlights Kovac's current dilemma. His final Wahl will shape Borussia Dortmund's approach to the Paderborn clash and the early Bundesliga‑Saison.