Borussia Dortmund manage Felix Nmecha’s workload carefully

Felix Nmecha continues to be an important part of Borussia Dortmund’s midfield, but coach Niko Kovac is deliberately controlling the player’s minutes as he works toward full fitness.

The Germany international has been substituted early in recent matches because he has not yet reached his physical peak.

Kovac was pleased with Nmecha’s display against Villarreal, praising both his technical quality and his running power. “I found Felix played a really good game. Football-wise, he gave us a lot. In terms of running, he was at a very high level,” the Dortmund coach said before the home meeting with Paderborn.

However, the club will continue limiting his workload. “It will continue to be the case that we always look at where we can take a few minutes out, so that we don’t always give him 90 minutes,” Kovac explained. The medical and athletic departments are working with Nmecha to raise his fitness gradually.

Kovac has no doubts about the midfielder’s importance, a status that remains unchanged from last season. “He is on a very good path, and he showed that really well in the game,” the coach added.