Felix Nmecha scores twice as Dortmund beat Paderborn

Felix Nmecha delivered a decisive substitute display as Borussia Dortmund beat SC Paderborn 3-0 at home, scoring twice after replacing Joey Veerman around the 65th minute.

His second goal, a spectacular overhead kick, completed a convincing afternoon for Niko Kovac’s side.

Nmecha’s place on the bench was planned rather than punitive. Dortmund have managed the 25-year-old’s workload carefully in recent weeks, following consultation with the medical department. “It was important, in agreement with the medical department, that we managed Felix’s minutes over the last few weeks,” Kovac explained. “Today, we managed him by bringing him on from the bench.”

The coach said Nmecha understood the decision fully. “He was not angry because he knew exactly what I had planned,” Kovac added. The midfielder responded by scoring two excellent goals, prompting Kovač to praise the value of clinical finishers.

Maximilian Beier helped create the second goal following a one-two, while Marcel Sabitzer supplied the cross for Nmecha’s acrobatic finish. Kovač expects to rotate frequently during a packed schedule, and Dortmund’s substitutes have now contributed to a goal in each of their six competitive matches this season.