Seventeen points from seven matches, with both teams still unbeaten: when Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening, the Bundesliga’s biggest fixture will feature two sides more evenly matched in the standings than they have been for some time. Only Bayern’s superior goal difference keeps them ahead of BVB at the top of the table. Kovac, who previously managed the Bavarian giants himself, approaches the encounter with a mixture of anticipation, respect and cautious optimism.
Kovac believes Dortmund are closing the gap
“For the first time in a long, long while, we’re able to go to Munich with the same number of points as Bayern,” Kovac explained at his pre-match press conference. That makes the encounter more intriguing than in recent years, although it does little to diminish the scale of the challenge.
“Bayern Munich are undoubtedly the benchmark, not just in Germany but also among the best teams in Europe. That’s why this is an extremely difficult task, and we know that.”
Nevertheless, Kovac believes Dortmund have reason to be confident. Their recent meetings with Bayern have consistently been closely contested. Aside from a 2-2 draw, BVB’s recent defeats against the Bavarians have all come by a single goal.
“We’re close, and perhaps this time we’ll have the chance to swing things in our favour,” said the 55-year-old. To achieve that, however, his players will have to perform at their highest level for the full 90 minutes.
Why 15 poor minutes could prove disastrous
Dortmund’s inability to maintain control throughout matches remains a concern for their manager. In their recent 3-2 DFB-Pokal victory over Werder Bremen, BVB lost their grip on midfield after an impressive opening hour. Both central midfielders pushed too far forward, leaving spaces that Bremen exploited to create dangerous chances.
Kovac acknowledged that his side endured a difficult 15-minute spell that could easily have cost them the match. At the same time, he refused to let that period overshadow an otherwise convincing performance.
“I stand by what I’ve said: there isn’t a team in the Bundesliga, or probably anywhere in the world, that dominates its opponents for 90 minutes.”
Dortmund had played well for much of the contest and eventually regained control. Kovac also pointed to their defensive record of just four goals conceded in seven league matches as evidence of the team’s progress.
Against Bayern, though, even a brief lapse could have serious consequences.
“If you don’t perform at the level required for ten, 15 or 20 minutes, things can go wrong very quickly in Munich.”
Stopping Kane and Olise will take more than individual quality
Bayern’s fluid attacking system presents a particularly demanding challenge for Dortmund’s defence. Newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane regularly drops deep to collect possession and participate in the build-up. His movement creates constant positional rotations that are difficult to counter through conventional man-marking.
Kovac was full of praise for the English striker’s development. Kane had already been a top player in the Premier League, he noted, but had taken another significant step forward since moving to Munich.
Michael Olise poses a similarly formidable threat on Bayern’s right flank, where he is expected to come up against Daniel Svensson. Kovac believes the Dortmund defender has handled his previous encounters with the Frenchman well, but relying exclusively on individual defending would be a dangerous approach.
“We have to support each other. We need to double up, and sometimes even put three players on an opponent. We have to do a lot of running. That’s part of it. You’re certainly not going to have more possession than Bayern Munich. That means you have to be prepared to suffer.”
Kovac has no intention of simply sitting deep and absorbing pressure. Dortmund will look to press high when the opportunity arises, force Bayern into mistakes and break quickly after recovering possession. Finding the right balance between aggression and defensive security will be crucial.
Veerman and Gadou could hold the tactical key
Two Dortmund players in particular could prove decisive in addressing different aspects of Bayern’s attacking threat.
Centre-back Joane Gadou possesses the exceptional recovery pace needed to neutralise potential counterattacks. Kovac described him as one of the Bundesliga’s fastest players and stressed his importance in protecting Dortmund’s defensive structure when the team pushes forward.
In midfield, Joey Veerman could provide the composure and technical quality required to play through Bayern’s pressing.
“With Joey, we have a player who is very secure in possession. That means we can move the ball from our centre-backs, through midfield and into the final third,” Kovac explained.
Veerman’s ability to resist pressure could help Dortmund avoid the cheap turnovers that would otherwise leave them pinned back in their own half.
There may also be an additional attacking option available. Konstantinos Karetsas has partially returned to team training following his injury, with a final decision on his availability for the trip to Munich due after the last training session.
Kovac also addressed the standard of refereeing. He remains convinced that the penalty awarded against Dortmund in the Bremen match was incorrect and criticised what he sees as excessive reluctance from VAR officials to intervene. For the Bundesliga showdown, he expects more decisive support for the on-field referee.
Ultimately, however, Kovac’s focus remains firmly on his own players. Dortmund will need an almost flawless performance, collective defensive commitment and clinical finishing from what are likely to be limited opportunities.
“But we’re BVB. We have our own standards, and we want to live up to them,” Kovac insisted.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s encounter, he added: “We’re looking forward to the game, and I think it’s not just us. The whole of Germany is looking forward to it because, finally, this is a genuinely exciting contest.”
