Kovac: Dortmund approaching every game like it is Champions League

Niko Kovac has demanded Borussia Dortmund treat their remaining Bundesliga game like a Champions League match as they aim to book their place in Europe’s top competition.

Dortmund rallied to a 4-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, ensuring Xabi Alonso did not enjoy a final win at the BayArena before leaving at the end of the season.

Julian Brandt, Julian Ryerson, Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy all scored for Dortmund, with their goals sandwiched between Jeremie Frimpong’s opener and Jonas Hofmann’s stoppage-time consolation.

Dortmund are now on a seven-game unbeaten streak in the top-flight (W6 D1), winning each of their last four matches – both runs are club bests in 2024-25.

During that run, they have collected a league-high 19 points, and their current position of fifth is their highest since matchday 13.

With only one game left to play, against relegated Holstein Kiel, Dortmund are one point behind fourth-place Freiburg. They face Eintracht Frankfurt, who are also yet to confirm their place in the Champions League next term, on the final day.

The Black and Yellow are given a 77.4% chance of clinching a place in the top four by the Opta supercomputer, with Freiburg’s hopes down at 47.9%.

Kovac was delighted with how effective his team were against Leverkusen, and insisted they would keep up the pressure.

“Top teams don’t need many chances, and top players score goals when they get chances,” he said.

“I demand that we approach every game as if it’s a Champions League match.”

Dortmund had just five shots on target against Leverkusen, scoring four of them, while their hosts had 22 opportunities overall, worth 2.2 expected goals (xG), with 10 on target. They also hit the woodwork.

Gregor Kobel made eight saves and had a bright start to the match as he kept Dortmund in the game under Leverkusen’s increasing pressure.

“We saw a super game in difficult conditions. Gregor [Kobel] kept us in the game in the first half. We did better in the second half,” Kovac told DAZN.

“The switch from 5-4-1 to 5-3-2 in the first half was already an improvement. And, when Sabitzer came on, we showed more composure and controlled the game.”