Borussia Dortmund will face Bayer Leverkusen away on Saturday – and rely on long-serving Manuel Akanji in defence. The staff cover is very thin. “We can’t afford to dispense with Mano,” Serie A coach Marco Rose said when asked by Rohr Nachrichten and gave a detailed update to the staff at the pre-match press conference against Leverkusen (Saturday, 3:30pm).
Leverkusen vs BVB: Borussia Dortmund must dispense with Reina for a longer period of time
“Thorgan Hazard is not in team training yet and will need a few more days. Mats Hummels is in team training for two days and he is doing well. Thomas Meunier is back from the national team getting beaten up – it’s doubtful,” Rose said. There is bad news about young Ji Rena in BVB. “Marco Reus is doing better and we assume he will play on Saturday. On the other hand, Gio Reina is injured and will miss the next few matches. We hope for the next international break, and then come back. Emery had torn muscle fibers and he will still need a some time”.
Borussia Dortmund also hopes that Mats Hummels will play against Leverkusen. We are in dialogue and also listen to the advice of doctors. He had very little training time and hardly any preparations. We have to make some preparations now and get him fit. “It’s a challenge, but we’re dealing with it now,” Rose said. The Eredivisie coach has confirmed that he is thinking a lot about his new defender Marin Bongrajic.
BVB coach Rose hails newcomer Marin Bongrajic’s potential
“I know her potential. But I got the message that he has back problems. We will have to see if it is enough for Saturday. It is important that he remains the same with this big club and listens to the coach. So he is someone who can help BVB. Fitness good, as well as speed and he is an incredibly good footballer despite his size,” Rose said.
Besides the press conference, there was also good news from Dan-Axel Zagadou. After the BVB defender started training last Sunday, he completed a small unit on Thursday without a ball on the grass. His return to the team after a knee injury will take some time – but the French long-time player is on the rehab plan.