Borussia Dortmund Prioritizes Bundesliga After Champions League Qualification
Borussia Dortmund has secured its place in the Champions League Round of 16, but the draw for the next stage is of secondary importance to the team’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl.
"To be honest, I don’t really care who we play in the end," said Kehl after a goalless draw in the second leg of the playoff match against Sporting Lisbon. Dortmund had won the first leg 3-0.
With the Round of 16 draw scheduled for Friday in Nyon, Dortmund will already be in preparations for its Bundesliga match against Union Berlin the following day. "Our focus now is solely on Union Berlin. We absolutely want to win this home game," said Kehl.
Kehl might as well have said, "We absolutely have to win." After two consecutive Bundesliga defeats under new coach Niko Kovac, Dortmund, the self-proclaimed second force in German football, sits in 11th place in the league. The club is already eight points behind its minimum goal of finishing fourth.
For the first time in ten years, Dortmund is facing a season without Champions League football. "Of course, we have to consider these scenarios. We have made various calculations. However, we still have the chance to generate revenue in this competition that we did not plan for," Kehl told DAZN.
So, the Champions League is not entirely unimportant for Dortmund after all, especially since the draw was favorable and advancing to the next round seems entirely possible. "Of course, we also want to get through the next round," said Kehl. The Round of 16 first leg will take place in two weeks, with the second leg following three weeks later.
Dortmund’s Bundesliga Struggles Take Center Stage
Despite securing its Champions League spot, Dortmund’s domestic struggles have taken center stage. The team’s two opening Bundesliga defeats have raised concerns about Kovac’s ability to lead the club to success.
"We are very disappointed with the start of the Bundesliga. We have analyzed the games and identified areas where we need to improve. We are working hard to address these issues," said Kehl.
Dortmund’s lackluster Bundesliga performances have exposed defensive frailties and an inability to create consistent scoring chances. Kovac has promised to make adjustments, but time is running out for the team to turn things around.
Champions League Revenue Provides Lifeline
While Dortmund’s Bundesliga struggles are a cause for concern, the club’s qualification for the Champions League Round of 16 provides a financial lifeline.
"The Champions League is an important source of revenue for us. It allows us to invest in our squad and infrastructure. We are determined to make the most of this opportunity," said Kehl.
The Champions League provides significant prize money and broadcast revenue, which can help Dortmund offset the financial losses incurred during the pandemic. The club is hoping to use this revenue to strengthen its squad and challenge for domestic and European titles in the future.
Conclusion
Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League qualification is a positive step, but the club’s Bundesliga struggles remain a major concern. The team must address its defensive issues and find ways to create more scoring chances if it wants to compete for trophies this season.
The Champions League provides Dortmund with a financial lifeline, but the club cannot afford to lose sight of its domestic ambitions. Kehl and Kovac have their work cut out for them as they try to turn things around and restore Dortmund to the top of German football.
