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Bundesliga
Niko Kovac benches four-goal striker Fabio Silva for Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga trip to VfB Stuttgart, opting for a defensive approach in a match loaded with attacking talent on both sides.
Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac has dropped a tactical bombshell ahead of today's Bundesliga clash at VfB Stuttgart, leaving in-form striker Fabio Silva on the bench despite the Portuguese forward sitting on four goals already this season. It is a decision that will raise eyebrows, spark debate, and put even more pressure on Kovac to get the result right.
In a league where attacking firepower is everything, choosing to sideline your hottest goalscorer for an away fixture against one of the most potent attacking sides in Germany is either a masterstroke or a massive gamble. Kovac framed it as a defensive necessity, explaining that the team needed a stronger defensive presence for a trip to Stuttgart. Fair enough on paper. But if Dortmund struggle to break Stuttgart down, the question will be obvious: why was the man with four goals in four matches watching from the dugout?
Kovac has opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, a system designed to provide defensive solidity while still offering width and creativity in transition. Serhou Guirassy leads the line as the lone striker, a role he knows well and one that puts all the attacking responsibility squarely on his shoulders.
Behind him, Karim Nwaneri and Karim Adeyemi Beier operate as the dual playmakers tasked with feeding Guirassy and exploiting the channels. The midfield engine of Felix Nmecha and Joey Veerman will need to dominate the middle of the park, while Josha Svensson and Julian Ryerson patrol the flanks. At the back, Nico Schlotterbeck, Waldemar Anton, and Gadou form a three-man defensive unit in front of Gregor Kobel.
It is a cautious setup by Dortmund standards. Whether that caution pays off or backfires spectacularly could define the narrative around Kovac's early tenure.
VfB Stuttgart have no intention of rolling over. Their lineup reads like a who's who of attacking intent: Deniz Undav, Chris Führich, and Ermedin Demirovic form a devastating front three that can tear apart any defensive system on its day. Behind them, Bilal El Khannous provides the creative spark, while Atakan Prömel and Angelo Stiller anchor the midfield.
Stuttgart's defensive line of Josha Vagnoman, Maxime Jeltsch, Ethan Chabot, and Maximilian Mittelstadt sits in front of goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow, offering a mix of youth, athleticism, and defensive intelligence.
This is a team that thrives at home, plays on the front foot, and will see Dortmund's conservative approach as an invitation to press high and dominate possession. If Kovac's plan is to absorb pressure and hit Stuttgart on the counter, he had better hope Guirassy is clinical when his moments come.
We are only on Matchday 4, but early-season results set the tone for everything that follows. For Dortmund, a win at Stuttgart would be a serious statement: proof that Kovac can grind out results away from home against quality opposition. A loss, though, and the questions will pile up fast. Why was Silva benched? Is this formation too negative for a club with Dortmund's ambitions? Can Kovac actually challenge at the top?
For Stuttgart, three points here would confirm they belong in the upper tier of the Bundesliga conversation once again. Their attack already looks like one of the most dangerous in the division, and dismantling a cautious Dortmund would only strengthen that reputation.
This is the kind of fixture that separates pretenders from contenders, and with both teams loaded with talent, it promises to be an absorbing 90 minutes for fans and bettors alike.
For those looking to back their instincts on this Bundesliga heavyweight clash, exciting betting opportunities on match outcomes and more are available at Epicbet.
Jon
