Champions League Showdown Against Lille: Kova Makes Bold Choices
Updated on 12.03.2025 - 17:52
Duration of Read: 1 Min
Jamie Gittens has been mired in a slump for some time now. (Source: Revierfoto/imago-images-bilder)
As Borussia Dortmund gears up for the crucial Champions League round of 16 second leg against Lille, a victory is imperative for them to remain in the tournament. Manager Niko Kova has opted for two changes in the starting XI.
Kovaโs latest line-up sees the talented youngster Jamie Gittens starting the match on the bench, making way for Maximilian Beier to join the starting crew. Furthermore, the coach must contend with the absence of the injured Daniel Svensson, who is replaced in the lineup by international star Waldemar Anton.
Dortmundโs full squad is as follows:
The first leg in Dortmund ended in a 1-1 stalemate, leaving the situation somewhat favourable for BVB. Following recent Bundesliga woes against Augsburg, reports have surfaced suggesting that Kova intends to adopt a more hard-nosed approach, paying less heed to names and past reputations. It appears that Gittens, who has been struggling with his form for several weeks, has become the first casualty of this strategy.
- Resource: "https://www.t-online.de/sport/fussball/champions-league/id_100633698/champions-league-bvb-coach-kovac-laesst-gittens-gegen-lille-auf-der-bank.html