Book offers insights into Schlotterbeck and Bensebaini's match preparedness
Borussia Dortmund's sporting manager Nils-Ole Book has praised Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini for making 'good impression' in training as the defensive duo prepare for their long-awaited return to action today.
The BVB are at home to Paderborn in the Bundesliga for matchday three as Niko Kovac's side aim to extend their winning start in the competition to three games.
Ahead of the kick-off, Niko Kovac's side have received a massive injury boost with the return of their talismanic centre-backs Schlotterbeck and Bensebaini.
Both players have been passed fit for today's fixture with Kovac even stating they both could play tonight.
Book has offered further insights into how each of them has been training lately. On Schlotterbeck, he said:
"Nico is making a very good impression. His mood keeps getting a little better every time he gets to play soccer again and train with the team—and that surely means he’s close to getting back on the field and playing soccer in front of a crowd."
Schlotterbeck had suffered an ankle injury during the World Cup with Germany and had been sidelined ever since. But the player returned to training last week and is now in line for his first club appearance of the 2026-27 season.
Book further stated:
"That’s doing him good, which is why he’s making such a good impression, including in yesterday’s training session. That really looked like soccer."
As for Bensebaini, the Algerian international hasn't played since the Supercup loss to Bayern Munich last month during which he sustained a rib injury. But Book revealed that he too is fit now.
"I’d assume so, yes. He’s training well, is also making a good impression, and is fit."
Schlotterbeck and Bensebaini both played a key role in helping the BVB finish as Bundesliga runners-up last season. The players were important cornerstone in Kovac's defensive set-up with their physical style of play, game-reading ability and aerial prowess.
Interestingly, both the BVB stars also finished as the highest scoring defenders in the German top-flight with five goals each, coming up trumps in the set-pieces to bring a new offensive layer into Dortmund's plays.
Though he signed a contract extension in March, Schlotterbeck was still expected to leave the Signal Iduna Park this summer with Real Madrid linked.
The Spanish giants were set to activate a release clasue in his contract this summer, but an injury during the World Cup meant a move never materialized and the clause expired too.
Bensebaini is widely touted to leave in 2027 when his contract expires after the club refused to offer him a new deal on account of recurring injuries, advancing age and declining form.
