Borussia Dortmund ‘too passive’ against Athletic Club, says Niko Kovač | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund recorded a 4-1 win against Athletic Club at the Westfalenstadion in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, but there was a period in the second-half in which Niko Kovač thought his side were too passive.

Daniel Svensson opened the scoring before Carney Chukwuemaka doubled BVB’s lead in the 50th minute, but a prolonged spell of pressure from the Basque club resulted in Gorka Guruzeta bringing the visitors to within one of Dortmund before Robert Navarro had a goal ruled out for offside, and then fired a shot narrowly over the crossbar.

Speaking to DAZN after the game, Kovač discussed Dortmund’s performance and the importance of making changes with games every three days, and the upcoming international break.

“We controlled the game in the first half. In the second half, we were a bit too passive, gave the ball away too quickly, and wobbled a bit. Then you need goals like that, which normally never go in,” said Kovač. “Serhou (Guirassy) is credited with the goal, and that’s fine. You need luck in the Champions League too.”

On the squad depth and changes, the Croat added: “We have really good depth in the squad, and you need that if you have to play every three days. That is why it is a good thing that we made some changes today. Incidentally: Bilbao made six changes. That is part of football today. Now we still have Leipzig, then it’s all about the national teams.

“You have to make changes. Schlotti (Nico Schlotterbeck) is coming back after five and a half months. The danger of him running into a muscular injury was just too great after two 90-minute games.”

GGFN | Daniel Pinder