Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac has come to the defense of midfielder Julian Brandt, confirming his place in the starting lineup for Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Augsburg. Kovac also lauded the impact of striker Serhou Guirassy, calling him ‘life insurance’ for the team.
Brandt, a German international, has faced criticism in recent weeks, including his performance in the 1-1 Champions League draw against Lille. Kovac acknowledged Brandt’s moments of misfortune but emphasized the midfielder’s overall value.
“He has shown in several other matches what he can do for us,” Kovac stated, showing confidence in Brandt’s abilities. “I have said on several occasions what I think about him. He can make a difference, and he will keep this standing. It is my player. I want Jule to feel my trust, and I think that is what he is doing. He will surely get back there where we see him. That only works over minutes. We need Jule. He is part of this club.”
Dortmund is aiming for a third consecutive Bundesliga victory as they seek to climb into the top four, currently trailing by six points in 10th place. Their opponent, Augsburg, is known for its organized defensive setup.
“Augsburg is a team that plays very physical football. They play with a very compact five-man defence, which has allowed very little recently. But with the crowd on our side, we will want to decide the game in our favour,” Kovac explained.
Guirassy could be key to the team’s success, providing a reliable presence up front. The striker is currently observing Ramadan, which Kovac acknowledged could present challenges.
“He is like life insurance for us at the moment,” Kovac said about Guirassy. “He is always on the ball and has to get through it. The fact that it’s Ramadan now doesn’t make it any easier for him, but he’s an absolute professional and he’ll manage.”
