Kovač Believes Dortmund Can Escape the Tunnel

Despite his team’s loss in his first official match as Borussia Dortmund’s new manager, Croatian coach Niko Kovač expressed confidence that his team is closer to overcoming their crisis than many might expect.

Dortmund is facing the first leg of their playoff against Sporting Lisbon to qualify for the Round of 16 in the Champions League, having won only three of their last 13 matches.

The team was knocked out of the German Cup and sits 11th in the Bundesliga, 7 points behind the last qualifying spot for the Champions League and 25 points behind league leaders Bayern Munich.

These results led to the dismissal of former player and coach Nuri Şahin after just seven months in charge, with Kovač taking over. In his first official match, his team lost 1-2 at home to Stuttgart.

Kovač, who has experience in the Bundesliga from managing Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Wolfsburg, commented on the loss: “We weren’t lucky at all; my players gave their best effort. The loss hurts because it wasn’t necessary.”

Regarding the upcoming match against Sporting on Tuesday, Kovač stated that his team needs “a few adjustments here and there, but overall, we must maintain our identity.”

Kovač is known for his emphasis on discipline and effort, and he expressed these values during his official presentation. “Discipline, structure, passion, momentum, and fighting spirit,” he said.

At 53, Kovač is recognized for his expertise in cup competitions, with a strong track record during his managerial career. He led Eintracht Frankfurt to win the German Cup before moving to Bayern Munich, where he secured the same trophy in back-to-back seasons.

In his first season managing French club Monaco, Kovač led them to the French Cup final, where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain. During his only Champions League season with Bayern Munich, Kovač was knocked out by Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp in the 2018-2019 season.

Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, who was involved in Kovač’s appointment, said, “We lacked some luck against Stuttgart in crucial moments; also, we need more clarity and determination.”

Dortmund finished 10th in the combined group stage of the Champions League and now faces Sporting, who have also struggled since the departure of coach Ruben Amorim to Manchester United.

Sporting, who topped the Portuguese league, has seen a decline in their Champions League form since Amorim’s departure, losing three matches and drawing one, dropping from 8th to 23rd place. They had begun the campaign under Amorim with three wins, including a remarkable 4-1 victory over Manchester City.