Kovac: We Remain Optimistic About Kabaratsis' Condition and Hope He Can Return Soon

At 21:30 Beijing time on September 12, Borussia Dortmund will host Paderborn in the third round of the Bundesliga. Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac attended a press conference on Thursday and updated Kabaratsis' condition. The 18-year-old Greek youngster collapsed without contact during the Champions League opening-round match against Villarreal and was later taken to hospital.

Niko (Kovac), today's first question is naturally still about Kabaratsis. Ole-Buk has already given us some information that has eased everyone's concerns. How do you view the whole situation? Have you already been in contact with him? What is his physical condition? When is he expected to return?

Hello everyone. First of all, I know Ole-Buk has already spoken with you outside in detail about Kabaratsis' situation, so there is no need for me to add anything further. He is still undergoing examinations, but we are optimistic about it. I have spoken with him, so we hope he can return to the team in the near future. But we can confirm that he will not be considered for this weekend's match.

Young player Riedel also experienced a situation similar to Kabaratsis during a Dortmund U19 match. Do you think the two incidents are related or not? Have they trained together before?

Yes, I have only heard about it and did not see it myself. However, I don't think there should be any connection. I really cannot understand it because I am not a doctor. To say there is a connection would be too speculative. That is how I see it.

How are you currently managing Kabaratsis? What is your relationship with him? Has the team already been in contact with him? Are his parents still accompanying him in the hospital? How are you providing him with support?

This player and this person are very important to us. We do not see him only as a player, but as an individual. He and his family are receiving as much support as possible from every level of the club, from management to the medical department. Our medical facilities are very good, and this young man and his family have already felt that. We have a very, very close relationship with him. We sincerely wish him all the best because we hope he can return to the team as soon as possible.

Paderborn will come to challenge you this weekend. What are your expectations?

Yes, they are a newly promoted team. They have collected only one point in two matches and have not scored yet, but they are still a team eager to remain in the Bundesliga. Therefore, we will definitely face a defensively organized opponent that will want to play on the counterattack and pose a threat to us.

We need to see how things are after the Champions League match. I have emphasized this repeatedly, and it is always the same situation. Yes, you have to release energy, and you also have to do so mentally. The key now is to immediately adjust your mindset so that you are ready for Saturday's Bundesliga match. This is what we need to achieve most, because once we do that, we are obviously the favorites to win. We are playing at home and want to win the match. That is our goal.

But this match will not be easy, no. There are no simple matches in the Bundesliga. You have to approach every match with full concentration from the beginning, or more accurately, you have to get into the game immediately. If you need some time to find your rhythm, it becomes even more difficult. Therefore, I hope and wish that my players give their full effort from the first minute. Of course, I also hope our fans quickly stand behind us again, allowing us to play successful football.