Berlin, March 6
The injury loss of winter arrival Daniel Svensson is adding to Borussia Dortmund's struggles. With progress in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League in jeopardy 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 absence is another challenge for coach Niko Kovac.
In addition to concerns about the second leg in France next Wednesday, tensions remain high in the Bundesliga. Despite a recent slight improvement, the club still sits only tenth in Germany's top flight.
While the Champions League campaign could provide additional income, Dortmund does not appear to be in shape to compete for the 2025 title. More concerning is the growing possibility of missing out on one of the four qualification spots for next season's competition.
In the Bundesliga, Dortmund trails the top four by six points and is struggling with visible fitness issues. Although Kovac has kept the results of a recent fitness test private, media reports suggest the findings were concerning.
These reports align with the difficulties seen on the pitch against Lille last Tuesday. Dortmund striker Karim Adeyemi, who scored the opening goal, spoke about fatigue but refused to use it as an excuse.
After half-time, Dortmund lost control of the match, continuing a pattern of inconsistency that has plagued the season. German sports magazine Kicker noted that Kovac is dealing with burdens from the past and questioned the squad's fitness levels.