“We must push ourselves”: BVB coach Kovac warns of stern test in Stuttgart | OneFootball

Before the Bundesliga top clash in Stuttgart, BVB coach Niko Kovac issues a clear warning about the strength of the opposition. The coach praises VfB’s “sensational development” and demands maximum commitment from his team.

Borussia Dortmund head into the final stretch of the Bundesliga season with strong numbers but mixed feelings. After 27 matchdays, BVB are playing one of the best seasons in the club’s history – only once has a team in second place had a better record at this stage, and that was Dortmund themselves ten years ago. Compared to last season, the Black and Yellows have collected a whopping 23 more points and are still once again on course to finish as runners-up.

Before the crucial clash away at VfB Stuttgart, the focus is now fully on league business – even though off-field noise has recently caused some unrest. Coach Niko Kovac publicly backed his defender Nico Schlotterbeck: “Schlotti has every right to set the record straight. He had to explain himself because something was published that was not true.”

From a sporting perspective, Stuttgart are a side in strong form. Kovac expects an intense match and uses clear words to describe the development of the upcoming opponent: “This club has undergone a sensational development.” The BVB coach stresses that his team will be tested for the full game: “We will have to push ourselves for 90 minutes.”

Nmecha absent: Kovac sees BVB facing a challenge

In terms of personnel, Dortmund will still be without several key players. The absence of Felix Nmecha is particularly significant, as Kovac explains: “It definitely hurts us that Felix is not available.” Even so, the coach sees alternatives in the squad and points among others to Carney Chukwuemeka, who has recently been able to build some confidence.

Photo: IMAGO

Important processes are also underway at BVB off the pitch. While Kovac looks back positively on working with former sporting director Sebastian Kehl – “We achieved quite a lot with Sebastian” – he has now built close contact with his successor Ole Book. “We’ve been in touch every day and are getting to know each other,” said the BVB coach, who is already looking ahead to key decisions in the summer.

With the Stuttgart match in mind, the plan is clear: focus, intensity and respect for an opponent that has developed impressively in recent months. Otherwise, as Kovac puts it, “it will certainly be harder to get something out of the game.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.