Niko Kovac is preparing for an emotional return to Eintracht Frankfurt, a team he proudly considers his footballing home. As the head coach of Borussia Dortmund, he made it clear that while he cherishes his history with Frankfurt, his focus is solely on winning their upcoming DFB-Pokal clash. “I am a lifelong member. Therefore, I am excited to come back to Frankfurt. But as the coach of Borussia Dortmund, I want to win against my old love,” Kovac stated ahead of the cup match scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Having previously managed Eintracht from March 2016 to June 2018 and leading them to a cup victory in his final game, Kovac fully understands the challenge his current team faces. “I am heading to Frankfurt with a great feeling. It was my first Bundesliga coaching job, and it ultimately brought me where I am today. It wasn’t easy, but it was a beautiful time,” he reflected.
The stakes are high for both teams as they seek to advance in the prestigious DFB-Pokal. Kovac emphasized the tournament’s growing importance, stating, “It is crucial. Every team wants to go to Berlin, and so do we. That is why we are determined to move forward.” Both sides have a strong desire for a sixth cup victory, with Borussia Dortmund aiming to build on their last triumph in 2021, while Frankfurt last claimed the title in 2018 under Kovac’s management. Eintracht’s sporting director Markus Krösche expressed confidence despite the challenge, noting, “We want to go further than in previous years, even though we’ve drawn a tough opponent in Borussia Dortmund.”
Frankfurt’s head coach Dino Toppmöller looks forward to the intense atmosphere of a knockout match, calling for a “Pokal fight.” He recognizes the stakes and the need for a focused approach against Dortmund, a team they have struggled against recently, only managing one win from their last eight Bundesliga encounters.
Despite this challenging history, there is a renewed sense of optimism within the Eintracht camp. New striker Jonathan Burkardt is in excellent form, recently scoring consecutive doubles in Bundesliga matches, adding firepower to the squad. Young national player Nathaniel Brown mirrored this sentiment, noting, “Last time we won here against Dortmund, we want to repeat that.”
Goalkeeper Michael Zetterer stressed the importance of strong defensive performance, acknowledging that passionate defending will be essential for a successful cup evening. This match holds special significance for Zetterer, who gained a second chance in the tournament after transferring from Werder Bremen.
Dortmund arrives in Frankfurt with confidence, having started the season strong, losing only once in twelve competitive matches. Kovac acknowledged the advantage of playing at home for Frankfurt but remained optimistic about his team’s capabilities. “If you want to reach the final, you must beat every opponent, regardless of who or where,” he asserted.
With both teams highly motivated, Tuesday night’s face-off promises to be an exciting contest in the DFB-Pokal, showcasing the fierce competition and emotional ties that define football.