Dortmund’s new signing makes surprise debut after two training sessions

Ethan Nwaneri’s Borussia Dortmund debut came far sooner than planned. The 19-year-old Englishman had completed only two training sessions with his new teammates when Niko Kovač sent him on against Hoffenheim.

Nwaneri joined Dortmund on loan from Arsenal as a replacement for Giannis Konstantelias, who is expected to miss about six months with a serious cruciate ligament injury. The club had tracked the young England international since last season, but the initial plan was to introduce him gradually.

Kovač had warned before the match that Nwaneri would need time to adapt. “Ethan is 19 years old. We followed him last season, but we were unable to sign him then. He was at Marseille with De Zerbi, and it is not easy there because the expectations may be even higher. Telias’ injury hit us hard. I am sure Ethan will show us many good things this year. He is left-footed and the youngest player ever to play for Arsenal. We will introduce him gradually and integrate him into the team. I am really, really convinced that he will help us a lot.”

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Ethan is 19 years old. We followed him last season, but we were unable to sign him then. He was at Marseille with De Zerbi, and it is not easy there because the expectations may be even higher. Telias’ injury hit us hard. I am sure Ethan will show us many good things this year. He is left-footed and the youngest player ever to play for Arsenal. We will introduce him gradually and integrate him into the team. I am really, really convinced that he will help us a lot.

The situation changed in the 32nd minute, when Filippo Mané was injured. Hoffenheim were in control and led through Leon Avdullahu before the break. Tim Lemperle then made it 2-0 early in the second half.

Dortmund began its comeback when Serhou Guirassy pulled one back in the 61st minute. Five minutes later, Guirassy set up Fabio Silva for the equalizer. In the closing stages, Nwaneri moved down the left side of the penalty area and sent the ball toward the goal. Albian Hajdari deflected the cross into his own net, leaving goalkeeper Oliver Baumann no chance.

Nwaneri had some early trouble finding space between the lines and lost a dangerous ball shortly after coming on. Kovač nevertheless praised his readiness. “Nwaneri is physically fit. It is very important when a player arrives and has trained with us only twice that you can trust him. If he had not been ready, I would not have put him on. The risk would have been too great for me.”

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Nwaneri is physically fit. It is very important when a player arrives and has trained with us only twice that you can trust him. If he had not been ready, I would not have put him on. The risk would have been too great for me.