Borussia Dortmund’s head coach Niko Kovac remains unfazed by the planned departure of his counterpart Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen, who will leave his position at the end of the season. As Dortmund prepares for a crucial away match on Sunday at 3:30 PM (DAZN), Kovac projects a confident demeanor.
“For us, it’s not about what happens at Leverkusen. We are focused on ourselves and not what is happening elsewhere,” Kovac stated while Alonso made his farewell announcement in Leverkusen.
Kovac believes that Dortmund is well-prepared to challenge the dethroned champions, Leverkusen. “We want to perform just as we have in recent weeks: successfully,” he emphasized. Taking over a team that was in eleventh place just three months ago, Kovac has revitalized Dortmund, which now stands a strong chance of qualifying for the Champions League. With only two matchdays left in the season, Dortmund is just one point behind Freiburg in fourth place.
“This shows the reflection of the good and intensive work we’ve done every day,” Kovac remarked, noting that his team has significantly improved and is now on par with the once reigning champions Leverkusen. “Bayer Leverkusen knows that we have made significant progress in recent weeks. In my opinion, we are currently equal.”
Unfortunately for Dortmund, they will continue to miss offensive player Maximilian Beier, who is sidelined with an ankle injury and is expected to return to training next week.
This article provides an optimistic outlook for Borussia Dortmund as they gear up for an important match, highlighting their recent improvements under Kovac’s leadership. The team’s focus on self-improvement could help them secure a Champions League spot and reinstate their competitive edge in German football.