Niko Kovac praises Joane Gadou’s exceptional speed ahead of Bayern Munich clash

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac has praised Joane Gadou’s outstanding pace and physical qualities ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga showdown against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

The 19-year-old centre-back has become an important part of Dortmund’s defensive setup, with his speed proving particularly valuable when the team plays with a high defensive line.

Speaking ahead of the eagerly anticipated Klassiker, Kovač highlighted Gadou’s ability to recover quickly and prevent opposition counterattacks.

“With Joane, we have someone who has currently been clocked as the fastest player in the Bundesliga,” the Dortmund manager explained.

Gadou’s athleticism was also evident during Tuesday’s dramatic 3-2 DFB-Pokal victory over Werder Bremen, where the defender impressed with his work rate and ability to cover ground.

“There we have a good young player who is doing really well. I’m glad we have him,” Kovač added.

The Croatian coach believes Gadou’s physical attributes give Dortmund an important advantage, particularly against opponents capable of exploiting spaces behind the defence.

However, Kovač acknowledged that the defender must recover sufficiently from the demanding cup encounter before facing Bayern.

“I hope he has recovered over the last few days so that he can give everything on Saturday.”

Gadou’s performances have strengthened his case for another starting appearance, although Kovač has yet to confirm his final lineup for the trip to Munich.

Dortmund will need a disciplined defensive performance against a Bayern side that has made an impressive start to the Bundesliga campaign. With both teams level on 17 points after seven matches, Saturday’s encounter could prove significant in the early title race.

Gadou’s pace and defensive awareness could therefore be valuable assets as Dortmund attempt to challenge the league leaders on their home ground.