Kovac’s secret plan: How Dortmund aim to take the fight to Bayern | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund senses a new opportunity in the title race after Bayern’s recent slip-ups. Coach Niko Kovac is relying on tough fitness work, internal competitions, and clear rules.

After FC Bayern’s recent loss of points, the Bundesliga title race is heating up again. With a 2-1 defeat in Augsburg and a 1-1 draw in Hamburg, the record champions’ lead has shrunk to six points—and at Borussia Dortmund, belief in a real comeback is growing. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck openly expressed this new confidence: “As BVB, we have to set the standard and tell the fans: we want to become champions.”

Coach Niko Kovac, however, is taking a more cautious tone in public. After the narrow 3-2 win against Heidenheim, the Croatian said: “The focus is on collecting points and keeping the chasers at bay.” While Kovac has faced criticism for his pragmatic approach and weak performances in the Champions League, he has clearly stabilized BVB on the pitch.

According to Sport Bild, a key factor is the 54-year-old’s uncompromising fitness and training concept. Dortmund is considered physically stronger than ever before, and the number of injuries has dropped significantly. This approach already paid off in the second half of last season, when BVB secured Champions League qualification with a strong finish. Kovac also impresses statistically: in 34 competitive matches under him, Dortmund collected 73 points—an average of 2.15 points per game.

Day Off Instead of Bonus: How Kovac Motivates the BVB Pros

To keep training intensity high over the long term, Kovac, according to Sport Bild, uses an internal points system. In various training formats, the pros collect points that are added up at the end of the month. The top scorer doesn’t receive a financial bonus, but rather the most coveted reward among players: a freely chosen day off from training. Matchdays and important preparations are excluded. Kovac wants to prevent a drop in focus during everyday training—he does not tolerate poor training performances.

Despite ongoing criticism of the attacking play and mixed performances in the Champions League, the situation is clear: BVB is six points behind Bayern and could close the gap to just three points, at least temporarily, with a win in Wolfsburg. Whether it will be enough for more than an exciting chase remains to be seen. One thing is certain: with clear rules, high intensity, and special training measures, Kovac is trying to really heat up the title race once again.

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