Secret plan revealed! This is how BVB wants to catch FC Bayern | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund mean business in the championship race. BVB are currently second in the Bundesliga and are keeping the pressure on FC Bayern high. While there has been talk of mini-crises in Munich recently, Niko Kovac is working consistently and almost silently on his counter-plan in Dortmund – with a clear focus: maximum commitment, absolute concentration and physical superiority

After the two recent slip-ups against Augsburg and HSV, Borussia Dortmund have reduced the gap to Bayern to six points. With an eye on the classic match against Munich at home in Signal-Iduna-Park at the end of February, BVB could get even closer with a win in the direct duel and thus reignite the championship race

BVB professional Nico Schlotterbeck recently sent a challenge to Bayern and emphasized that the Black & Yellows will do everything they can to catch the record champions right to the end

His head coach Niko Kovac is not a fan of such public statements. The ex-Bayern coach is regarded as a coach who thinks little of external influences – and he consistently exemplifies this at BVB. The 54-year-old deliberately lets media reports, social media, public debates about form curves or league standings bounce off him. Information from outside only reaches him filtered through his closest circle of employees. The aim is to avoid any distractions and to focus the team completely on the sporting mission

As reported by BILD, this isolation is intended to prevent euphoria or nervousness from taking hold – especially in view of FC Bayern, which traditionally generates psychological pressure in the title fight. Kovac wants a BVB that functions independently of Munich

Training under competitive conditions as a permanent condition

photo: IMAGO

Particularly interesting: According to information from BILD, Kovac takes an unusual but clearly performance-oriented approach to everyday training. He does not tolerate poor intensity or a loss of concentration. Instead, he has his professionals train regularly under competitive conditions. Points are collected in internal game forms, victories are counted and performances are made measurable

At the end of the month, an internal winner is determined – but the reward is not money or bonuses, but an extra day off. This is a particularly valuable asset for top professionals. Match days and key preparation phases are excluded, but the effect is tangible: training feels like a competitive game, every effort counts

The Sammer factor: exchange at eye level

Matthias Sammer plays a central role in Kovac’s daily work. The former Bayern boss and current club advisor is Kovac’s most important sparring partner. The two have a long history that goes back to 1997, when they underwent rehab together. To this day, they exchange ideas on a weekly basis

Sammer provides impulses, observations and critical perspectives, while Kovac filters and decides. This exchange is of enormous value to BVB, especially in view of FC Bayern, which Sammer knows better than almost anyone else

Physical condition is a key issue in Dortmund. Kovac is considered a fitness enthusiast and has professionalized this area at BVB considerably. This season, the players are undergoing five lactate tests in order to precisely record their resilience, regeneration and performance level

The idea behind this is clear: if Dortmund want to beat FC Bayern, they not only need quality, but also physical stability over 90 minutes – and beyond. This factor should make the difference, especially in direct duels and in the hot phase of the season.