Marin Pongracic tipped for lead Borussia Dortmund role by Marco Rose
Borussia Dortmund's summer signing Marin Pongracic has been tipped to make a major impact at the club by the man who convinced him to join from Wolfsburg, head coach Marco Rose.
The Croatian central defender may not have been a regular starter for the Wolves, but Rose worked with him during their Red Bull Salzburg days and believes he can tap into the 23-year-old's potential and turn him into a Bundesliga regular at BVB during his season-long loan.
"I expect him to fulfil his potential," Rose told Kicker. "I know it and I know how good it is. He can definitely play in a back three, and if anything, we are now very well covered in this area.
"We were looking for somebody in this position and I know what he can do, and now he's got to try to show that here at Borussia. We're going to help him, but I'm also going to be demanding of him."
Pongracic has yet to make his first competitive appearance in a black and yellow shirt, although he did take full advantage of the fact Manuel Akanji was on international duty with Switzerland and Mats Hummels is injured to impress in a 90-minute run-out across two friendly matches last week.
He scored one goal, created another and led the Dortmund defence like an old master in a 4-0 win over SpVgg Hagen 1911 and 8-0 win over SV Hohenlimburg.
"I know him so he didn't surprise me today," said Rose, who added that his lack of action in Wolfsburg was more due to misfortune. "He got ill and he had lots of injuries," he added. "Things didn't quite work out for him at Wolfsburg."
Want more Bundesliga Action?
With his first outing under his belt, Pongracic will now give Rose a welcome headache coming into a busy period of fixtures.
Dortmund travel to Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend before kicking off their UEFA Champions League campaign at Besiktas the following Wednesday.
"We're going to have lots of games now," said Rose. "And nobody has mentioned that maybe Manu [Akanji] might need a rest."
Related news
Matchday 30 probable teams
How much rotation will we see from newly crowned champions Leverkusen as they bid to remain unbeaten away at top-four chasing Dortmund?
What can be confirmed this matchday?
Leverkusen are already champions, but could Darmstadt go the other way and be relegated this weekend? Find out what can be decided on Matchday 30…
Vote for your Bundesliga Team of the Season!
Pick your best XI from our list of 40 nominees to win exclusive prizes!