LILLE, France — Borussia Dortmund’s coach, Niko Kovac, emphasized the importance of focus and determination during a recent meeting with his team following another disappointing league defeat. This conversation was part of the preparations for the crucial second leg match against Lille in the Champions League round of 16.
Following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Augsburg, which positioned Dortmund 10th in the Bundesliga standings, Kovac took action by holding a team meeting on Sunday. In his discussion, Kovac stated, “I was very clear and direct,” emphasizing the need to regain focus as they face Lille in a pivotal Champions League match. “It’s crucial that we sharpen our senses and concentrate on the upcoming game,” he added.
As Dortmund prepares to enter Wednesday’s match against Lille with an aggregate score locked at 1-1, Kovac aims to inspire his players to elevate their performance. The team, currently struggling in the Bundesliga, hopes to replicate past successes in the Champions League, where they were runners-up in the previous season.
Since stepping into the role last month, after Nuri Sahin’s departure, Kovac has managed to secure three wins out of eight matches across all competitions. The former head coach of Bayern Munich and Monaco now faces the challenging task of leading Dortmund back to form and overcoming Lille in this critical fixture.