Powder keg at BVB? Kovac steps in after dressing room bust-up | OneFootball

At Borussia Dortmund, nerves are frayed after the late equalizer in Hamburg. Coach Niko Kovac even had to intervene between two quarreling players.

After the late equalizer in the 1-1 draw against Hamburger SV, there was tension at Borussia Dortmund. On the way to the locker room, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and right-back Julian Ryerson clashed. As reported by Bild, the two leading players engaged in a loud argument about who was to blame for the goal conceded in the seventh minute of injury time.

BVB coach Niko Kovac eventually stepped in to calm the situation. "I came a little late, I didn't really notice it – really," he later explained at the press conference. "I wanted to calm it down because it doesn't help." Apparently, the issue was about who should have better marked the opponent in the decisive scene on the wing. Kovac made it clear: "Basically, the assignment is clear. Julian is ultimately the one who marks the winger. Sabitzer could have come to help."

The fact that tensions are simmering at BVB after the third late point loss in a short time was evident not only from this incident. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl did not hide his anger: "I am really angry and will need a few days to process this."

Criticism of Kovac's style of play is increasing behind the scenes at BVB

Photo: IMAGO

For Kovac and his team, the draw was another setback after the clear 1-4 defeat against Manchester City. While they could breathe a sigh of relief in the narrow 1-0 win against Augsburg recently, the mood before the international break is tense. The Bild even spoke of a "powder keg" at BVB – and behind closed doors, there is said to be initial criticism of the coach's style of play.

Niko Kovac himself appeared composed but disappointed after the final whistle. "We are angry and disappointed. We didn't do what I had envisioned at the end," he said. The coach was particularly annoyed by the defensive negligence in the final phase: "I always say: No corners, no free kicks, no crosses – and then there are no problems." But it was precisely one of these crosses that ultimately led to HSV's late equalizer by Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer.

Thus, BVB heads into the break with frustration – and the feeling that there is a need for clarification not only on the field but also in the locker room.

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