Dortmund will go to the away game to play the fifth round of the league with Mainz this Saturday. At the pre-match press conference, the team coach Kovac talked about the team's personnel situation, the performance of the opponent and key topics when defending.

In a 1-0 victory against Wolfsburg last week, Schlottbeck returned to the roster after nearly six months of injury and immediately entered the starting lineup, Kovac said: "He has taken his appearance well" and the centre-back will lock in a starting position again on Saturday. Nevertheless, Kovac stressed: "If we can afford it, we may replace him earlier."

For Emre Jan and Duranville, it must be too early to play in Mainz. Kovac also pointed out that even if Anselmino has participated in some team training this week, it is not enough to play. Although Gilasi was hit in his thigh against Wolfsburg, he is now ready to play. Jule and Fabio Silva may also be re-choosing the roster based on Friday's pre-match training situation.

Kovac explained: "All other players are healthy and in good condition", and he also needs a healthy lineup against Mainz: "Although we won the last game, we didn't push them. Mainz's main feature is strong running ability and high-pressing."

For Mainz coach Bo Henriksen, Kovac praised: "Under his leadership, they have achieved very good development. Although their start of the season did not work as they expected." In the first four rounds of the season, Mainz said that Mainz is especially a "very difficult opponent."

Regarding the key factors of Saturday's game, Kovac said: "I look forward to us, we will turn our confidence into performance on the court." Dortmund is currently ranked second in the standings and has remained unbeaten in 12 games across the season. Kovac hopes that his team can continue to maintain this momentum with the confidence mentioned, but he also warns that it sounds "easy", but the difficulty lies in "really achieving it."

Kovac thinks the team did this when they beat Wolfsburg last week: "A 1:0 sounds nothing in the first place, but I'm very happy with the team. The defense starts in the frontcourt. It's very important for me to do some work in the frontcourt - so we have fewer problems in the backcourt. The most important thing for me is that every player has to play to his limits."