Niko Kovac confirms Dortmund duo fit for Champions League opener against Villarreal

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac has confirmed Daniel Svensson and Konstantinos Karetsas are available for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Villarreal, despite both players missing the club’s full training session on Monday.

Kovac moved to reassure supporters that the pair’s absence from the main session was part of Dortmund’s normal preparations rather than an indication of fresh injury concerns.

“That was completely normal today. It can happen from time to time that we let one or two players recover in the locker room or in the gym,” Kovac said at his pre-match press conference.

“Both are in perfect health and are options for the game.”

The update comes as Dortmund prepare to begin their Champions League campaign against Villarreal, while the squad continues to manage several other absences.

Defender Filippo Mane will miss the match after sustaining a muscle injury during Saturday’s 3-2 Bundesliga win over Hoffenheim. Kovac expects the player to be available again following the next international break.

“We’re assuming nothing else will happen before the international break. He’ll certainly return after that,” the Dortmund coach said.

Kovac added that the injury was not the result of any shortcomings in Dortmund’s training programme or workload management.

“Unfortunately, things like this are just part of the game. In terms of training load and training management, everything was top-notch; he had really good endurance and strength numbers.”

Dortmund will also be without Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini. Both players remain suspended, although they have continued to make progress in their respective recoveries from injury.

Giannis Konstantelias and Emre Can are unavailable too as they continue their rehabilitation from long-term injuries.

The availability of Svensson and Karetsas nevertheless gives Kovac two more options for the opening fixture, with the Dortmund coach insisting that neither player’s modified training schedule should be interpreted as a fitness setback.

Dortmund’s preparations have therefore involved balancing the demands of the Champions League with the need to manage players carefully. While Mane’s muscle problem means he is expected to miss the period before the international break, Kovac said the club had handled the defender’s physical workload appropriately.

The match against Villarreal represents Dortmund’s first Champions League fixture of the campaign. Kovac’s side will go into it with several players unavailable, but the coach has clarified that Svensson and Karetsas are fit and in contention.

Related: Harry Kane ‘extremely proud’ of Ballon d’Or nomination