Wednesday’s disappointing Champions League result produced two casualties in the Borussia Dortmund defensive corps. Waldemar Anton and Aarón Anselmino both had to exit proceedings injured. The two centre-backs – who started alongside Nico Schlotterbeck in a back-three on Wednesday night – remain questionable heading into the weekend Bundesliga encounter against SC Freiburg.
A hamstring injury led to Anton being subbed off in the 33rd-minute while Anselmino limped off in the 76th-minute having hurt his ankle attempting to clear a ball. Wingback Daniel Svensson entered on behalf of Anton and took over for Ramy Bensebaini at the left wingback position. Bensebaini then slid into the back-three. BVB squad captain Emré Can replaced Anselmino later on.
Dortmund face a tough test away at Freiburg this weekend. The Breisgauer have had their issues in the league as of late, but roll into the encounter riding high following a home Europa League victory against RB Salzburg on Thursday. Freiburg have not lost at home this season since dropping their Bundesliga opener to FC Augsburg in August.
Schlotterbeck – following some explosive statements after the UCL draw – will also have to mend fences with his line-mates. Schlotterbeck specifically critiqued the work of the BVB substitutes, angrily noting (among other things) that he “expected more effort from those who came off the bench“.
Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac – speaking at a Thursday morning press conference – confirmed that he had conducted a direct conversation with the 26-year-old in the locker room.
“It’s completely normal that, as a leadership figure, he is angry about the attitude we displayed,” Kovac said. “As a leading player, he also has the right to address certain things. I understand Schlotti’s frustration, but there were one or two players who felt called out.“