Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck will return for his club’s Bundesliga game against Union Berlin on Saturday, according to head coach Niko Kovac.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Berlin, the 55-year-old, who recently extended his contract until 2029 , confirmed that the Germany international will be available again after being rested in midweek.

Schlotterbeck played in Dortmund’s 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen last week, scoring his side’s second goal before BVB conceded twice late on. He was then left out of the squad for the 1-0 Champions League defeat to Bodø/Glimt as part of the club’s load-management plan.

The 26-year-old has endured two ankle injuries while on international duty in recent months. He suffered medial ligament damage to his left ankle at the World Cup, ruling him out for several months and causing him to miss pre-season and Dortmund’s opening Bundesliga fixtures.

After returning to the Germany squad in September, he then sustained a ligament injury to his right ankle during training ahead of the Nations League games against Serbia and Greece. Kovac also confirmed that he has an otherwise full squad to choose from, with only long-term absentees Emre Can, Giannis Konstantelias and Justin Lerma unavailable.

After five matchdays, Dortmund sit second in the Bundesliga, level on 13 points with leaders Freiburg but behind on goal difference. Following the late draw against Bremen and the disappointing Champions League defeat in Norway, the Black and Yellows will be looking to return to winning ways in Berlin.

From a tactical formation and squad depth perspective, "Нико Шлоттербек вернется в матче против «Унион Берлин»" carries substantial tournament implications for international seeding and domestic campaign momentum. Coaching staffs are heavily weighing high-pressing efficiency (PPDA), defensive transition pace, and fixture fatigue management.

Tactical analysts monitoring Champions League metrics emphasize that squad adaptability and set-piece execution will likely dictate outcomes in high-leverage knockout environments. Real-time match telemetry and tracking data continue to inform managerial decision-making.

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