Probably missing for a while
©IMAGO
The first version of the article appeared at 6:33 a.m. and was updated with a new Kehl quote (4th paragraph).
Defender Filippo Mane’s muscle injury initially sparked consideration at Borussia Dortmund about a possible last-minute transfer, but as of Monday afternoon these had been rejected. BVB coach Niko Kovac did not expect the 20-year-old Italian to have a short downtime. “If you go down like that, it’s definitely not a small fiber tear. I think it’s more than that,” said Kovac after Sunday’s 3-2 (1-1) win against 1. FC Heidenheim.
Mane had broken off the running duel against Mathias Honsak before Heidenheim’s equalizer by Julian Niehues (45th + 5) and had to be substituted at half-time. “I hope that no tendon is affected,” Kovac continued. According to his statement, the injury immediately led to a discussion with sports director Sebastian Kehl about the pros and cons of signing another defender on the last day of the transfer deadline. There would only be time for that this Monday.
“As of now I would say we don’t need one,” said Kovac, but added: “We will definitely discuss it again. It has to make sense.” Kehl confirmed the basic considerations. “I’ll definitely make another phone call or two today. If Filippo hadn’t been injured, we wouldn’t have done anything. Now we’ll definitely at least think about it again,” said the Dortmund sports director.
Update 3:09 p.m.: On Monday, Kehl followed up with “Sky” and ruled out access until the transfer deadline at 8 p.m. “We trust the squad and, after internal considerations, have decided that we will no longer do anything in the position. There will be no further new additions to Borussia Dortmund,” he said.
Before injury: Mane had a strong debut at BVB
Mane recently made his debut in the premier class against Inter Milan – and in the starting line-up. The central defender came into the team to replace the ill Waldemar Anton (infection). Niklas Süle (back) was also out against the Nerazzurri. In addition, Aarón Anselmino was no longer an option after Chelsea FC recalled him from his loan. Kehl then praised the youngster for his performance and at that point attested that the BVB squad was “broad enough” and that he had “confidence that we can achieve our goals with these players.”
