Borussia Dortmund manager Nico Kovac is banking on his team’s determination to turn the tide against Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals. After a 4-0 drubbing in Catalonia last week, Dortmund is facing an uphill battle. “We know the situation. We want to show a completely different face compared to the first game and win,” Kovac said.
The team’s response to last Saturday’s draw against Bayern Munich is a good omen, according to Kovac. “We showed a good reaction in Munich, and we saw that we can maintain that pace,” he noted. Kovac is considering various tactical options for Tuesday’s match, including switching to a three-man defense, which worked well against Bayern.
Injury Concerns
Injury concerns are looming over Dortmund, with Emre Can struggling with adductor muscle issues for weeks. “He’s been playing with pain, and we need to consider that. It’s possible he might miss tomorrow’s game,” Kovac revealed. Nico Schlotterbeck and Marcel Sabitzer are already ruled out.
Felix Nmecha is making steady progress after a long injury layoff. “He’s doing great as a player and as a person. He can do everything with the ball, has fantastic dynamics, and is a complete player,” Kovac praised. However, Nmecha still has some physical issues to overcome.
Dortmund needs to be focused from the start and win over their fans to stand a chance against Barcelona. “Only with commitment, a good performance, and passion can we gain the necessary momentum,” Kovac emphasized. Barcelona, meanwhile, remains undefeated this year, with 20 wins and four draws in 24 games.
