Dortmund’s New Star Impresses in Champions League Debut

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·13 de febrero de 2025

Dortmund’s New Star Impresses in Champions League Debut

Recently appointed Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač secured his first win at the club on Tuesday in their Champions League tie against Portuguese side Sporting CP. Three second-half goals from Serhou Guirassy, Pascal Groß, and Karim Adeyemi sealed a comprehensive victory for the Black and Yellows, effectively putting one foot in the last 16 of the competition.

Amid this critical victory, newcomer Daniel Svensson received widespread praise. The 23-year-old Swedish defender made his starting debut for his new club and impressed during the 89 minutes he was on the pitch. Deployed at left-back, Svensson recorded 66 touches, an 88% pass success rate, and created two key chances. The energetic full-back also covered significant ground during the game and helped his side keep a clean sheet away from home.

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BVB has struggled to find a consistent performer for the left-back position in recent years. Several players have been tried in the role but failed to make a lasting impact. Julian Ryerson has occasionally filled in at left-back but is more comfortable on the right. Ian Maatsen, who was on loan from Chelsea for half a season, was solid but could not be signed permanently. Despite Ramy Bensebaïni's initial inconsistency in the position, he has been improving this season. Now, even if it is too early to judge Svensson’s long-term impact on the club, the initial signs are encouraging.

"I want to highlight young Daniel, who played his first game. And what a great game it was! He had no prior minutes in his legs and was still in preparation mode after a long winter break — yet he delivered a performance like that, which must be acknowledged. Fantastic! This (performance) shows that our scouting department did an excellent job and that we’ve discovered another real talent."Niko Kovač

Svensson stated that he had an "okay" game but admitted to feeling a bit nervous at first. It has been reported that BVB paid just over €1 million to loan the player from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland. The move is expected to become permanent and cost around €7 million in the summer.

Dortmund’s managing director, Lars Ricken, also gave full of praise for the young Dane, stating:

"He’s a young player but already has 160 professional games under his belt. His tactical awareness was impressive, as he consistently moved into midfield."Lars Ricken

As BVB aims to climb the Bundesliga table and make progress in the Champions League, the need for a solid backline is pivotal. Svensson could play a key role in addressing the depth issues in an area that has often been described as the club’s inconsistent spot.