NZZ: BVB defeat to Bayern exposes the limits of Dortmund’s business model | OneFootball

The 2:3 defeat of BVB in the top match against FC Bayern Munich not only ended all realistic championship dreams for Dortmund. Despite the close result, they were also shown their limits, commented Stefan Osterhaus in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Not just the limits of the current squad, but also those of their own business model.

BVB coach Niko Kovac praised the class of FC Bayern after the match – which simultaneously made a statement about his own squad, according to Stefan Osterhaus. The match fulfilled all expectations of such a top game. Dortmund also showed toughness, speed, and technical finesse. It was always evident that BVB also had the will to take the initiative.

The advantage of FC Bayern Munich lay in the quality of its individual players. This clearly outweighed that of BVB, Osterhaus must note – as Dortmund's coach Niko Kovac also publicly judged afterward. However, the resulting dilemma affects not only BVB but the entire Bundesliga.

Photo: IMAGO

Kovac "not a magician," but with "high consistency"

The Bayern are "almost out of reach" for the rest of the league. The only conceivable antidote at present is a performance like the one BVB showed on Saturday. That even this was not enough is due to players of European top level like Harry Kane, Luis Diaz, or Michael Olise. A level that the BVB squad does not have.

This is nothing other than part of Borussia Dortmund's established business model. "It's about spotting talents before the competition does." And BVB was long excellent at this, considering Dembele, Haaland, the older Bellingham, or Jadon Sancho. Currently, there is no one with comparable potential in the BVB squad.

Which, in turn, is not Niko Kovac's fault, who, according to Osterhaus, is underrated by many fans. He is not a "magician," and his football is rarely spectacular. But Kovac demonstrates "high consistency" in his work. The current 52 points for Schwarzgelb are as remarkable as the fact that they have only lost to FC Bayern so far in the Bundesliga.

The firmly established hierarchy in the league, however, could not be clearer than with the course of Saturday's game. For Kovac, with his BVB, no other goal remains achievable than defending second place and confidently qualifying for the Champions League.

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