“It gets everyone buzzing”: BVB boss Kovac eyes Schalke derby | OneFootball

After years without a Revierderby, Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 could soon meet again. Niko Kovac is making no secret of how much he is looking forward to this special clash.

So far, one defining chapter has been missing from Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac’s time in charge: the Revierderby against FC Schalke 04. Since joining BVB, he has been denied this traditional fixture — something that not only he himself, but also many fans, feel is missing.

Kovac is, however, familiar with the matchup from previous stops in his career. With Frankfurt, Bayern and Wolfsburg, he has already faced Schalke — mostly in the Bundesliga. His record is a positive one: in ten matches, the 54-year-old has collected six wins, three draws and suffered just one defeat. But he has yet to experience the special derby atmosphere in the Ruhr region for himself.

All the greater, then, is his anticipation for a possible reunion. “I’d really like to experience that myself,” Kovac said at the press conference ahead of Saturday’s match (3:30 p.m.) against Hoffenheim. For him, it is clear that this clash has a dimension all its own: “It’s what gets everyone here excited.” Matches against FC Bayern Munich are also hugely important, he said, but the emotional intensity of a derby is hard to compare.

BVB vs. Schalke: Revierderby on the verge of a comeback

The chances of the classic fixture returning currently look good. Schalke are top of the 2. Bundesliga table and have an excellent chance of promotion. For Kovac, that is a pleasing scenario, as he makes no secret of the fact that he wants them back: “That’s why I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

Photo: IMAGO

The BVB coach chooses his words carefully, of course, because praise for the rival is not always well received in Dortmund. Even so, he acknowledges Schalke’s development — especially the stable structure that has emerged there. He also holds coach Miron Muslic in high regard.

In the end, though, Kovac’s romantic view of football prevails. Traditional rivalries, heated stadiums and emotional moments are what make the sport special for him. A Revierderby against Schalke would be exactly that kind of experience — one that is still missing from his time at BVB.

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