BVB Newsblog

#BVB-News ⚫️🟡 | Filtering all rumors, transfers and news around Borussia Dortmund for you! 🔍

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Niko Kovac’s new contract includes bonus payments. Should he succeed in winning the German league title with Borussia Dortmund, the manager will receive around 1.2 million euros; the same applies to the Champions League title. He will receive 500,000 euros for winning the DFB Cup.

Borussia Dortmund have also protection against poor results. Should Kovac fail to deliver, Borussia Dortmund have the option to terminate the contract immediately via a clause in the agreement. At the time of termination, the outstanding salary due up to 2029 will be calculated. Kovac will receive 50 per cent of this sum. This would allow the club to remove the manager from the payroll immediately.

🗞 @SPORTBILD

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Gregor Kobel:

“In the end, it was tougher than it needn’t have been. We could have scored a goal or two earlier on to make the game a bit more comfortable. We created a great many chances – certainly the most we’ve had in recent weeks – so that was very positive. Ultimately, it’s a bit of a shame that we didn’t manage to settle the match earlier on and bring a bit of calm to the game.”

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Niko Kovac:

“We played a really good, attacking game today and created plenty of chances. If we’d only capitalised on half of them, we’d certainly have won by three or four goals. We made the odd small mistake here and there, which allowed our opponents back into the game. It was hard work, but a thoroughly deserved victory.”

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Serhou Guirassy:

“I’m obviously pleased with the win because it was so important for the team. The last two matches were tough, which is why it was so important to win today. And that’s exactly what we managed to do. Congratulations to the whole team, and thanks also to the fans for their support. But we did miss a few chances. If we can all perform consistently, I believe we can achieve a lot this season.”

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Line-up vs. Sabah FK:

Kobel - Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini - Ryerson, Veerman, Nmecha, Svensson - Chukwuemeka, Silva - Guirassy

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Niko Kovac:

"We’re a long way from a crisis. When we arrived back then, we were eleventh. You can’t compare the two. We’re second, level on points with Bayern. I can put that into perspective. We dominated Bremen, had an unfortunate 2–2 draw, and now against Union it was a clear 0–0 game. What we’re not entirely happy with are the results. Two draws and one defeat, but I’m not making a big deal out of it. The team has the quality to turn things round as early as tomorrow, and I’m convinced of that. So, I’ll stick to it: read nothing. That’s the easiest and best way to go about it."

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Niko Kovac:

"We’ll know tomorrow who will play. [...] The opposition made a lot of changes in their last match and will have a fresh starting eleven tomorrow. We need to be prepared for that."

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Niko Kovac:

"You could call it courage. Ultimately, we have the instincts to be a threat in the final third. We haven’t shown that over the last two weeks. [...] We need to play with more precision, play faster, and take more shots. You can only score a goal if you shoot."

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Lars Ricken on Konstantinos Karetsas:

"Kos has a ligament injury in his foot. He won’t be travelling to Baku and won’t be able to play against Frankfurt on Saturday either. It’s obviously frustrating, but we’d initially feared the worst after seeing his team-mates’ reactions."

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Line-up prediction vs. Sabah FK:

🗞 @kicker

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Bundesliga standings after matchday 6:

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Niko Kovac:

"In terms of passion and intensity, the team showed exactly what you need in this stadium and in front of this crowd. We were absolutely on a par with our opponents, and that’s what you need to come away with something here. What certainly wasn’t so good on our part was that, despite controlling the game, we weren’t able to turn that into goals – or create enough good chances to win. [...] All top teams struggle against sides that sit deep in a compact block, and Union defended really well today. But even so, we didn’t create the clear-cut chances we’ve had before – the ones we need in every match to beat the opposition. So that’s something we’ll have to work on. Goals are important for winning matches."

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Waldemar Anton:

"At the moment, in the final third, there are areas where we’re not performing well – where we’re simply making the wrong decisions. But that’s something we can work through and analyse properly. That’s why we just need to stay calm. As I said, we’ve got a young team. We’ll work through this and then do even better. It’s an experience we’re all going through together right now. We have to fight for things and work our way back into form. That little bit of luck that’s been missing in the final third is something you have to work for. That’s what we’ll be doing over the next few days."

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Ole Book:

"We’re disappointed. We’d set our sights higher. To be able to play through the channels, you have to be a bit more daring across the whole pitch. We started doing that far too late. The big problem is this: when we’re more brave, we play really good football, and we can put the opposition under pressure. When we’re behind, as we were in Norway, or when we feel time is running out towards the end, we play much better. That’s the issue we need to focus on."

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Lars Ricken:

“We’re naturally disappointed. I think the team rose to the challenge here, playing with great intensity and aggression right from the start. That naturally meant the match was a bit scrappy. We saw that when we got into our stride and tried to play clearly forward, we created our chances.”

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Line-up vs. Union Berlin:

Kobel - Gadou, Anton, Schlotterbeck - Ryerson, Bellingham , Nmecha, Svensson - Nwaneri, Beier - Guirassy

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Ole Book on Mathis Albert:

"We really do see huge potential in Mathis. He’s got something truly special about him. He’s a player who likes to take on opponents boldly in one-on-one situations. It’s basically something you can never have enough of, and we certainly don’t have too much of it either. That’s why we’re delighted he’s part of our team.
We have a clear plan for him. I think it’s really important to keep improving in every aspect, because at 17 you’re certainly not at your peak yet. His chances to play will definitely come – he’s got the talent for it. We’re looking forward to that time."

🗞️ @SkySportDE

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Matchday-squad vs. Union Berlin:

Kobel, Meyer – Schlotterbeck, Anton, Gadou, Ryerson, Svensson, Bensebaini, Prates, Nmecha, Bellingham, Veerman, Sabitzer, Chukwuemeka, Karetsas, Nwaneri, Albert, Beier, Guirassy, Silva, Inacio

🗞️ @RNBVB

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Niko Kovac:

"We’re not going to look at those 60 minutes and question everything. That was the first match where, on the whole, I wasn’t satisfied. We went there. When you fall down, you have to get back up. We’ve shown that many times before. We’ve even come back stronger. It’s a process. We’ve got young players who’ll be getting more playing time. So you have to expect that certain things won’t always go to plan."

#BVB

[BVB Newsblog @bvbnewsblog]

Niko Kovac, in response to the claim that ‘many people’ say Maxi Beier doesn’t feel 100 per cent comfortable on the left side and why the player is currently struggling, should see it this way:

"Who are ‘many’ people? We need to keep things in perspective. We can’t turn a minority into a majority. It’s all too common these days. I’m the coach; I know what Maxi is capable of and I speak to him as well. He’s already put in a lot of really good performances. And I thought he did well defensively; offensively, it was generally a bit of a struggle for us as a team. You can’t judge based on just one match. Maxi’s doing really well. He takes everything I tell him on board. If he had to, he’d go in goal straight away. So I’m not going to let that stand. That’s too simplistic for my liking, and I won’t let anyone tell me it’s the majority. I can say that too. The majority of people I speak to say ‘Niko brilliant’. So who’s right now? Right, next topic please."

#BVB