Algerian international Ramy Bensebaini has seen his playing time reduced at Borussia Dortmund this March, sparking speculation over whether his observance of Ramadan has played a role in his reduced minutes.
The 29-year-old defender has started only two of Dortmund’s five matches since the beginning of the fasting period, with head coach Niko Kovac acknowledging that Ramadan can have an impact on a player’s physical condition.
Ahead of Dortmund’s Champions League round of 16 second-leg clash against Lille—where the German side progressed despite a 2-3 defeat on the night (4-3 on aggregate)—Kovac addressed Bensebaini’s situation.
“Of course, it plays a role. You have to understand how much energy this takes from a player,” Kovac told DAZN. “We can see that it affects physical strength.
As coaches, we respect and support their commitment, but we also have to ensure that those on the pitch have the necessary endurance to perform.”
Despite suggestions that Bensebaini had been excluded from Dortmund’s squad, this was not the case.
While initial reports hinted at a possible omission, the Algerian defender was included on the matchday squad list and featured in the final 18 minutes of the game.
While Ramadan fasting continues to be a debated topic in European football regarding its impact on player performance, Kovac’s comments suggest that squad selection remains a matter of physical readiness rather than exclusion based on religious observance.
