Felix Nmecha scored twice for Borussia Dortmund in a 2-1 win over promoted SV Elversberg on Saturday, securing victory for the second-placed side before his celebration drew criticism.
Nmecha scores twice
Nmecha found the net twice as Borussia Dortmund beat SV Elversberg 2-1.
Babbel questions consistency
Speaking on , former Bayern Munich and Liverpool player Markus Babbel said: “I've never seen him play three good games in a row. He can't play at the very highest level on Saturday, Wednesday and Saturday. He can manage one game, perhaps even two, but he can't manage three.”
Germany's record appearance holder Lothar Matthäus said: “Given the attributes he has, if he makes the most of them, he can become a player who makes a big difference.”
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Ole Book said Nmecha had talent and technique, adding: “If he then adds finishing like he did today, he has the shot for it, after all, there aren't many who are better.”
Kovac praises his contribution
Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac praised Nmecha's presence, dynamism and technique, saying: “He can resolve a lot of situations so quickly with the way he turns his body. That makes his team-mates better.”
Kovac said Borussia Dortmund had missed Nmecha during the five league games he missed through injury last season. “You could see that our play faltered somewhat,” Kovac recalled. He added: “With him, we have a completely different dimension. That's why I'm glad he's here.”
Celebration draws criticism
After scoring, Nmecha mimed taking a crown from his head, then knelt and placed it on the turf in front of him. The celebration referred to “The King's Return”, a campaign belonging to the “Ballers in God” network.
Borussia Dortmund's fan and support department criticised Nmecha's support for the network and called for “clear distancing from ideologies and networks whose documented statements and activities, in our view, are incompatible with the values of an open-minded and diverse Borussia Dortmund”.
In response to an enquiry from SID, Borussia Dortmund defended Nmecha, saying he always behaves respectfully, while the management said it would hold talks with him.
