Kovac’s Borussia Dortmund Under Pressure Despite Champions League Progression
Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac finds himself under increasing pressure despite guiding the team to the Champions League Round of 16. The underwhelming 0-0 draw in the second leg against Sporting Lisbon has amplified the scrutiny on the Croatian coach.
A Disconcerting Draw and High Expectations
Despite securing a place in the knockout stage, Dortmund’s performance against Sporting was uninspiring. The side failed to create any clear-cut chances and lacked urgency in their play. Kovac acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "We are under pressure at home. We have to win. We know that."
A Somber Home Record and Frustrating Start
Since Kovac took over on February 2nd, Dortmund have yet to win a Bundesliga match. Their only victory during his tenure came in the Champions League, a 3-0 win in Lisbon that secured their place in the knockout stages.
"He took over a team that was insecure," sporting director Sebastian Kehl defended Kovac’s start, which has been successful in the Champions League but disastrous in the Bundesliga with two losses. Kehl’s comments appear somewhat strange considering that interim coach Mike Tullberg had stabilized the BVB squad after the dismissal of Nuri Sahin.
Tullberg’s Impact and Kovac’s Fading Promise
With his extroverted demeanor, clear instructions, and fiery temperament, Tullberg had set the stage for Kovac with two wins in three games. However, after two Bundesliga defeats and a stagnant position in the league, a sense of gloom has returned.
Against Sporting, the stadium atmosphere was surprisingly subdued, with little enthusiasm or celebration despite the team’s progression. "It’s logical that the team lacks confidence given the situation," Kehl said.
Kovac’s Cautious Approach and Unfulfilled Expectations
Kovac has adopted a notably cautious approach compared to Tullberg. He has been publicly uncritical of his players, despite their lackluster performances. "I still see that they are trying," Kovac said after the goalless draw.
However, those who expected Kovac to shake things up or drop underperforming stars have been disappointed thus far. "We are trying to get into the players’ heads," Kovac said. "I see many things that are already good, but they need to function even better."
Time Running Out
Time is running out for Kovac to turn things around. A failure to beat Union Berlin would extend Dortmund’s winless run in the Bundesliga and increase the gap to the Champions League places. Currently, the team is eight points behind fourth place.
Disparity Between Positive Messaging and Player Sentiment
A growing concern is the disparity between the positive messages from Kehl and Kovac and the apparent frustration within the squad. "We achieved what we wanted," Kovac said. "It wasn’t a great game. But we dominated the match." Kehl echoed this sentiment, saying, "The goal was to advance. We did that. It gives us a good feeling for this competition."
However, national team player Julian Brandt expressed a different view. "There is still a lot of room for improvement," he said. "The self-confidence has been lacking for several weeks now. We’re getting in our own way. We can’t seem to get it sorted."
No Easy Solution
Kovac lacks an immediate solution to the team’s struggles. "Even a shaman couldn’t help anymore," Brandt lamented. And indeed, Kovac is no miracle worker.
