“Good steps, but…”: why Book reins things in despite BVB gala | OneFootball

After the emphatic 4-0 win over Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund secured qualification for the Champions League. But despite the strong performance, BVB sporting director Ole Book is keeping a lid on the euphoria.

Borussia Dortmund made a real statement in the final stretch of the season. With a convincing 4-0 victory over SC Freiburg, BVB not only picked up important points, but also sealed qualification for the Champions League. Especially in the first half, coach Niko Kovac’s team looked as attack-minded and expressive as sporting director Ole Book has been wanting for some time.

Just a few weeks ago, at his unveiling, Book had called for a braver and more proactive style of play. After some inconsistent performances recently, including two straight defeats, the team now showed a clear response. Slick combinations, high tempo, and more presence in possession shaped the display against Freiburg.

Despite the clear result, Book urged caution after the match. “I think those were good steps,” the sporting director told RUHR24, while also making it clear that there is still room for improvement. The quality in the squad, he said, is high enough for the team to play even more dominantly in the future.

Bold BVB display: attack impresses against Freiburg

One reason for his restrained assessment also lies in the different circumstances facing the two teams. While Dortmund can focus fully on the Bundesliga, Freiburg are still caught in an intense every-three-days schedule. “That’s why I wouldn’t overrate today completely,” Book stressed.

Photo: IMAGO

Even so, he had words of praise for his own team’s performance. The bold approach and the attacking solutions they found on the ball stood out in particular. Coach Kovac was also pleased with the team’s progress: “I liked the way we were secure on the ball, how we kept it moving, and how we pinned the opponent back.”

For BVB, the emphatic win could mean more than just three points. Kovac made it clear that this display should serve as a benchmark: “This is how it has to be not only next season, but also in the next three games.” That makes one thing clear: the performance against Freiburg is not meant to remain a one-off highlight, but the start of a sustainably more attacking style of play.

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