On September 1, Borussia Dortmund will face Hebc Hamburg in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. Head coach Edin Kovac attended the pre-match press conference on Monday to discuss Konstantelias' injury and potential replacements.

Update on Borussia Dortmund's Personnel Situation

All other players are in good shape except Konstantelias, who is seriously injured and will be unavailable.

How Long Will Konstantelias Be Out?

We can't give an exact prognosis yet. We have to wait for the surgery to be completed, then monitor his recovery process. Of course, his injury is a huge blow to all of us, and we're all shocked. I think everyone in the stadium felt that emotion after his injury. It affected not only my team but also our fans.

The lad remains calm, but I have to be honest—he's disappointed by the injury. He believes he'll come back stronger, and we all firmly believe that too. We're supporting him every step of the way. He's surrounded by reliable people here, and his family is with him. That's life—sometimes the story is beautiful, sometimes it isn't. It's fifty-fifty, but we're helping him, and when he returns, he'll be as good as before, if not better.

Will Konstantelias Receive Treatment at Dortmund Rather Than Return to Greece?

Yes. We have excellent facilities here and have successfully treated many seriously injured players. Our medical, rehabilitation, and fitness teams are doing outstanding work at the highest level. That's why he'll stay at Borussia Dortmund, which helps him feel the team spirit and stay connected with his teammates. It's about social interaction and having people to support him. Of course, there will be moments of doubt and difficulty, and having family and teammates to encourage him during those times is very important.

Can Fabio Silva Fill Konstantelias' Position, Given That Guirassy is Your Number One Striker?

We did that occasionally last season, but this season we have many attacking midfielders and wingers. If we change that arrangement now, it would be difficult, especially since we only have one out-and-out striker. That's why I think Fabio Silva should continue as striker, and others will cover Konstantelias' position.

How Much Have You Watched of Today's Opponent, Hebc Hamburg?

We've watched a couple of their matches, two or three. We don't have as much video material as we do for Bundesliga teams, but that's irrelevant—they're a regional league team. Playing in a big stadium is more conducive to a top-tier team than a fifth-tier one, of course. But they earned this opportunity by winning the state cup last season, which earned them a place in the DFB-Pokal main draw—a special achievement for them.

We're the favorites to advance, and we want to achieve our goals. But underestimating opponents is always a risk, and we could be eliminated because of it. We can't let that happen in the cup, regardless of who we face. We want to show every opponent the respect they deserve. Anyone who knows me knows we prepare for every opponent with the same effort we'd give a Bundesliga match. That's why every player understands they must give their all—we want to settle the tie early.

Have You Discussed Signings With Management Following Konstantelias' Injury?

Yes, we've met and we're always talking. Lars Ricken and Ole Bork won't travel to Hamburg for the match; they'll stay and continue working because time is limited. Let's see what we can achieve. We have several options, but everything must fit together—we can't just make a deal happen immediately. We had several options before, and now we need to identify the best fit.

Who Best Fits Konstantelias' Role Currently? And How Often Was Sancho's Name Mentioned in Talks With Ricken and Bork?

As I said, several players can play that position. Chukwuemeka is one of them, and each brings something different. We don't have five identical players—everyone has their own strengths and, of course, weaknesses.

Since joining us, Chukwuemeka has played his best football in this position. He needs to intensify his physical conditioning to reach the level required for consistent Bundesliga minutes.

Regarding your second question, as always, we won't comment on that. It's not really appropriate. I'm satisfied with our current squad, but we're not complacent. We're monitoring the transfer market to see if we can make additions.

This Match is at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Which Should Favor You

These smaller clubs need to survive and need revenue, so playing in a bigger stadium makes sense. I expect around 40,000 spectators. There's more space, you can smell the currywurst and other food they sell—it's part of the experience. Ultimately, we want good pitches, and these clubs need to make a living. That's why the DFB-Pokal exists and why these teams face top opponents in the first round—they gain a financial advantage from it.

Will Meyer Start This Match, or Is This the Plan for the Entire DFB-Pokal?

For this match.

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