Road to Dortmund | BVB Fan Blog

In the press conference after yesterday’s Kiel game, Niko Kovac said that he is happy and proud, but there is no reason to celebrate. And I disagree a little bit. No, we did not win any trophies this year. And yes, winning trophies should be the ambition at BVB. But after watching the team transform the worst season in the last 20 or so years into Champions League qualification, I will forever remember this last four months and the magnitude of positive change Kovac accomplished under no easy circumstances – coming in mid-season into a team that was severely underperforming and fragile. This is a massive achievement. Nobody knows what the future will bring but that is not something we should not be too worried about today because at this moment, we should take some time to recognize the accomplishment and the progress this team has achieved during the second half of the season – by being happy, proud …and celebrating. The ambition of a club of BVB’s size should be higher than finishing 4th in the Bundesliga, but for me as a fan who was here all along, pulling my hair out during the initial part of the 2024/2025 season, this stretch of games with Niko Kovac as our head coach was magic. Let’s not forget at one point the team’s point total was closer to relegation position than Champions League qualification. Niko Kovac came in on February 2nd when the team was sitting 11th in the Bundesliga, and was given a super ambitious target to get this team back on its feet and steer the club into European competitions, ideally sneaking into Champions League. And he did exactly that. He actually said during his initial press conference that the league is so close it will be decided on the last matchday. And he was right.

I was thinking what the best title for this entry would be. And I wanted to make sure that when I come across this text in few years, it will click immediately as a reminder. Something that will instantly bring back to life what I felt, what happened and who was the main figure in all of it. So yeah, Kovac Magic it is.

Niko Kovac took over in game against Stuttgart in matchday 21. He coached 14 out of the 34 league games. In 11 out of these 14 Bundesliga games, BVB achieved a favorable xG vs xGA – 10 times by more than 1.0. Only Bochum (2.5 : 2.6), Bayern (1.5 : 2.0) and Bayer (1.4 : 2.6) managed to come out of games against BVB with favorable xG, only Bochum managed to win. Team lost four games along the way but even in those the improvements stood out – the stability, structure, effort. Even in most of these losing games BVB was actually flat out the better team. Kovac made immediate impact and only improved from there. Just before the last match against Kiel, Karim Adeyemi was quoted saying how Kovac really came in and kicked the players in the ass. In a highly constructive manner, apparently.

The overall quality in the squad was never in question, in my view anyway (depth is different topic though). So the fact that this group had it in them to win games and beat the Bundesliga competition should not come as a surprise. The speed at which Kovac took them from the bottom, back into shape, physically and mentally, where they were able to not only dominate games but also convert chances and defend effectively, leading into consistently winning games – absolutely impressive.

There are players who stepped up in a massive way in the process. Waldemar Anton was struggling, and has actually received way more criticism than deserved (as I mentioned in my previous blog entries), but suddenly he was rock-solid to lead the defense in absence of Nico Schlotterbeck. Just watching the games and seeing how he communicates with his teammates and how he organized the back line – he was in charge of the defense, reminiscent of his captain role in Stuttgart. Anton has been a key to Kovac’s tactics and has done a fantastic job. Ramy Bensebaini was great and made number of pretty memorable, crucial plays along the way – both defensively and supporting offense. Maxi Beier, Karim Adeyemi, Pascal Gross, Jule Brandt all have improved their play in a big way. Through combination of individual improvement and Kovac utilizing them in the right way, playing them in their preferred positions. If you haven’t seen saves Gregor Kobel made against Bayer Leverkusen in a 4:2 win (that secured at worst 5th place finish in league during matchday 33), please do yourself a favor and go watch it. That was a Kobel masterclass right there. I’m not going to make an extensive list and I’m perhaps missing a few names here – but ok, Serhou Guirassy totally deserves a nod for 21 goals in 30 games and scoring in each of the last 5 must win games. Point is, the team really started clicking and players elevated their game to demonstrate why they are in a club like BVB.

I’m still absolutely convinced we shouldn’t forget the drama around Nuri Sahin, Sven Mislintat and half the squad playing like they belong in the 2. Bundesliga. Even though the club has, relative to expectations set at beginning of the season, managed to get a decent result in the league, these were critical red flags. About the management and direction of the club. It needs to be remembered, reflected upon, and actioned in the forward looking process of getting this team ready to compete now and long term – planning approach to next season and strategy for next 3-5 years. I really hope the management has learned few lessons here. I will also tip my hat to the correct decisions, identifying the right head coach to come in and get the job done… and bringing in Daniel Svensson, the kid is a baller.

This Bundesliga season was a wild, crazy, emotional rollercoaster ride. The good thing is, of course, we’re finishing the ride trending upwards. Niko Kovac has accomplished what seemed like a mission impossible few months back and delivered what is the biggest mid-season turnaround in club’s history. Now the team is off for two week break before they begin preparations for Club World Cup in US, where BVB will travel full of confidence – thanks to finishing Bundesliga season 7-1-0, and with 5 straight wins, securing 4th place and Champions League qualification for next year.

Thank you, Niko.