Ethan Nwaneri stars in Dortmund comeback win over Hoffenheim

Ethan Nwaneri made an immediate impact for Borussia Dortmund, helping inspire a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Hoffenheim only days after arriving on loan from Arsenal.

The teenager was introduced after defender Filippo Mané went off injured in the 32nd minute, despite having completed just two training sessions with his new teammates.

Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac said Nwaneri’s physical readiness made the early introduction possible. “Nwaneri is physically fit. That is crucial when a player comes in and has only trained twice. You have to be able to trust him. If he had not been physically fit, I would not have played him.”

The England youth international repaid that faith through his movement in the decisive moment. He passed the ball to Fabio before continuing his run into a dangerous area rather than switching off. That pressure helped force Hoffenheim defender Albian Hajdari into the own goal that settled the contest.

“On the third goal, he plays the ball to Fabio, then keeps running and occupies the dangerous space in the box,” Kovac said. “He needed a bit of luck, but he earned it because he wanted it so badly.”

Kovac believes the Arsenal loanee will become a major asset over the coming weeks and months.