Champions League: BVB Rotation & Kovac’s Calm Response

Coach Niko Kovac cannot get rid of the debate about Borussia Dortmund’s style of play shortly before the end of the year. In the third English week in a row, BVB’s approach in the Champions League on Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN) against FK Bodö/Glimt from Norway will be closely examined again. The topic came up again on the day before the sixth preliminary round game. Dull, unimaginative, soporific: These are the criticisms of the football that Dortmund plays under Kovac.

Julian Brandt described his coach’s pragmatic approach in Solomonic terms on Tuesday. “We have found a basis for ourselves to be successful,” said the 29-year-old offensive player. His coach sat next to him, smiling and relaxed. “He can feel vindicated,” Brandt continued about Kovac’s approach and training.

Brandt’s statements about BVB’s style caused a stir

Brandt’s statements after Dortmund’s 2-0 win against Hoffenheim on Sunday in the Bundesliga caused a stir. “If you’re honest, that’s not my way of playing football. Sometimes I just have to accept it,” said Brandt, specifically referring to the game against Hoffenheim. However, the accusation that Dortmund play too little spectacularly and too unimaginatively going forward is not new.

“I’ve been in the business for a while now. Minorities are not majorities. I still believe that we are on the right track,” said Kovac, as usual, calmly about the general accusation. Success proves him right. “On the whole, we are super happy. I had a very different last few weeks of the year here with only ten healthy players and 22 points from 15 or 16 games,” Brandt also said.

BVB is in a significantly better position than it was a year ago

BVB is currently third in the league with 28 points from 13 games and has seven points more than at the same time last year. The cup exit in the round of 16 against Bayer Leverkusen is annoying. But in the Champions League, Dortmund can take a big step towards direct qualification for the round of 16 against the Norwegian outsiders Bodö/Glimt. “Basically, we could put ourselves in a very, very good position,” said Brandt about the starting position before the sixth of eight games in the league phase.

“Of course there are two more crucial games in January, but the goal is to get into the top eight,” Brandt continued. That would save further playoff dates in February. And he didn’t want to hide the fact that the current stress is also a reason for the tired kicking. “The English weeks play a role here. When the eleventh or twelfth English week comes in December, things start to get tough,” said Brandt.

Coach Kovac is always rotating, which in turn ensures that certain processes in the game do not become automated so quickly. Against the dethroned Norwegian champions the rotation will continue, perhaps in an even greater style. “Everyone is healthy. In theory, eleven changes would be possible,” said Kovac, but also emphasized: “We want to win the game tomorrow, no matter who plays.” For a little more Christmas peace in the environment, a little spectacle wouldn’t go amiss.