Borussia Dortmund saw a new corner specialist emerge on Sunday against FSV Mainz. And it came from an unexpected source: Nico Schlotterbeck. The strong-headed central defender took the corner kicks for the first time since joining Dortmund in 2022 and immediately saw two of his crosses headed into the net.
Borussia Dortmund secured a convincing 3-1 victory over FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday, but the biggest revelation of the match was the emergence of Nico Schlotterbeck as the team’s unexpected new corner specialist.
The 25-year-old central defender, known primarily for his defensive prowess and aerial dominance, delivered two assists from corners in what many are calling a breakthrough performance.
This was the first time Schlotterbeck had taken corners for Dortmund since joining the club in 2022. Throughout the match, he delivered a total of five corners, each seemingly more dangerous than the last. The decision to place Schlotterbeck on corner duty was made by Dortmund manager Niko Kovac, who was forced to rethink his set-piece approach after losing wingback Daniel Svensson to injury during training. With Svensson unavailable, Kovac was left with only two left-footed players in his starting lineup: Schlotterbeck and Karim Adeyemi.
Kovac’s decision to hand corner-taking responsibilities to Schlotterbeck was not made lightly. The manager revealed that his inspiration came from former Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber, a renowned specialist in set-piece situations during his playing career. Kovac, aware of Schlotterbeck’s strong left foot and natural ability to whip in crosses with precision, instructed the defender to focus on corners during training sessions leading up to the match.
“Nico has a fantastic left foot,” Kovac explained during the post-match press conference. “He trained hard on set pieces, and today it paid off. His delivery was precise and effective, and he brought something different to our attack. Sometimes it takes something unconventional to break down an organized defense.”
Schlotterbeck’s second corner of the match proved to be a turning point. The high cross, delivered with pace and accuracy, was perfectly met by Emre Can at the far post, who headed the ball into the net to open the scoring. Encouraged by this success, Schlotterbeck continued to take corners throughout the match, providing consistent quality and threat from each delivery.
His final corner of the game, delivered late in the second half, was once again effective. This time, Maximilian Beier rose highest to meet Schlotterbeck’s curling cross, nodding it past the Mainz goalkeeper to seal Dortmund’s 3-1 victory. The assist was Schlotterbeck’s second of the match and further cemented his unexpected status as Dortmund’s new set-piece specialist.
Despite his newfound success as a corner taker, Schlotterbeck remains better known for his effectiveness on the receiving end of set pieces. Of the twelve goals he has scored throughout his professional career, four have come from corners, with two of those being headed efforts. His aerial ability and strength have always made him a target during set-piece situations, but now, his deliveries are proving to be just as valuable.
Reflecting on his performance, Schlotterbeck admitted that his success from corners was not purely accidental. “On the training ground, I was hitting them well, so I tried to strike them the same way here,” Schlotterbeck told DAZN. “It’s a different challenge for me, but I enjoy it. It’s all about timing and precision, and I think I’ve shown I can do that.”
While Schlotterbeck’s performance caught many by surprise, his former coach Edin Terzic was quick to praise him. Terzic, who managed Dortmund until last summer, even went as far as to compare Schlotterbeck’s set-piece ability to that of legendary specialists. “Schlotterbeckham,” the former BVB coach humorously commented on one of Schlotterbeck’s Instagram posts, referring to the player’s newfound proficiency from corners.
Dortmund’s decision to experiment with Schlotterbeck as a corner taker could prove to be a masterstroke by Niko Kovac. The manager’s willingness to adapt and think outside the box has added a new dimension to Dortmund’s attacking play. With Schlotterbeck now proving his ability to deliver dangerous crosses from dead-ball situations, Dortmund may have discovered a potent weapon for breaking down stubborn defenses.
The victory over Mainz also marked Dortmund’s continued progress under Kovac’s management. The team’s attacking fluidity, combined with the creativity and precision of Schlotterbeck’s corners, has provided fans with optimism as Dortmund pushes forward in their campaign.
Although Schlotterbeck’s newfound role as a corner specialist is still in its early stages, the potential benefits are clear. His ability to deliver accurate, whipped crosses from the left side offers a valuable option for Dortmund, particularly against teams that sit deep and defend with discipline. Moreover, the unpredictability of having a central defender take corners adds an element of surprise that opposing teams may struggle to counter.
Kovac has already hinted that Schlotterbeck’s corner-taking duties will continue in the coming matches. “He’s earned the right to keep taking them,” Kovac stated with a smile during the press conference. “If he keeps delivering like that, I see no reason to change.”
Fans and pundits alike are now eagerly anticipating Dortmund’s next match to see if Schlotterbeck’s impressive corner-taking performance was a one-time success or the beginning of a new weapon in Dortmund’s arsenal. Whatever the outcome, Schlotterbeck’s contribution against Mainz has already added another dimension to his game and provided Dortmund with an exciting new attacking option.
