
BVBWLD.de
·19 October 2025
Bitter night for Bellingham: BVB boss Kovac pulls no punches

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·19 October 2025
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham experiences a bitter moment in the Klassiker against FC Bayern. Coach Niko Kovac and Bayern star Harry Kane, however, leap to the young Englishman’s defense.
A bitter evening for Jobe Bellingham in the Klassiker between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern: The 20-year-old Englishman was unfortunately involved in the decisive scene when Munich made it 2–0 through Michael Olise — and he had to endure a lot of criticism online.
In the 78th minute, after a sharp cross from Luis Díaz, Bellingham tried to clear the ball off his own goal line but slipped and caught Olise, off whom the ball eventually ricocheted into the Dortmund net. The English tabloid The Sun even called it a “horror error” and wrote that Bellingham wished he could “sink into the ground.”
But while harsh words were used in England, BVB coach Niko Kovac firmly defended his protégé. “I don’t see any blame on Jobe at all,” emphasized Kovac. “He’s standing where he needs to stand. The ball is played in with pace, which means the fact he doesn’t put it straight into his own net is already a skill.”
The coach continued: “Then of course he has to get his body mass to a stop somehow, he briefly puts his hand down. That’s the small moment when Michael Olise comes from behind and slides in. So, it’s not that easy.”
Bellingham also received backing from the opposition. Bayern goal machine Harry Kane praised his compatriot despite the unfortunate moment: “That was a tough situation for him. He tries to control the first ball, but Michael Olise reacts well and slides into it. Unlucky, but he just has to keep going and work hard.”
Jobe Bellingham, who has yet to register a goal or an assist in ten competitive matches, is still waiting for his breakthrough at BVB. Niko Kovac is convinced, however, that the young Englishman has the potential to perform at the highest level — he just needs time and trust.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
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