Borussia Dortmund have steadied themselves after a difficult spell, with Serhou Guirassy's brace securing a 2-1 Champions League victory over Sabah FK in Baku that ended a three-game winless run. The win lifts BVB to six points in the Champions League group phase, keeping the top spots within reach. In the Bundesliga, they sit second with 14 points from six games, level with leaders Bayern Munich, so the competitive picture remains positive despite the recent wobble.

The concern now centres on the injury to Konstantinos Karetsas. The 18-year-old picked up a ankle ligament injury during the 0-0 draw at Union Berlin and will miss the Champions League trip to Baku and the Bundesliga home game against Eintracht Frankfurt. BVB sporting director Lars Ricken acknowledged the club had feared worse when they saw their teammates' reactions on the pitch. Carney Chukwuemeka stepped in against Sabah and made an immediate impact, suggesting Kovac has options to cover the absence.

Questions also persist around Ethan Nwaneri, the Arsenal loanee who has yet to register a goal or assist beyond one credited contribution. Ricken has publicly backed him, but the 19-year-old's inconsistency in front of goal and in one-on-one situations reflects a broader issue with Dortmund's attacking structure under Kovac. The next test comes Saturday at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, where a win would reinforce that the Sabah result was a genuine turning point rather than a temporary reprieve.