Kovac insists on ´top performance´ from Dortmund to boost top-eight chances

Niko Kovac did not shrug off the importance of Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League meeting with Tottenham, admitting the victors will have the best chance of finishing in the top eight.

Just one place separates Dortmund and Spurs in the table, with both sides level on 11 points, though Kovac’s side sit above them in 10th place, having scored more goals.

A win on Tuesday could potentially launch one of the teams into the top eight, given the congested nature of the table, though Dortmund drew 2-2 with Bodo/Glimt last time out in the competition.

Although Kovac was quick to point out that Dortmund’s hopes of automatic progression to the last 16 might not be ended by a defeat, he still has high ambitions.

“If we don’t make it [on Tuesday], for whatever reason, it’s not the end of the world,” emphasised Kovac.

“I said at the beginning of the Champions League season; we want to reach the play-off phase.

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“We want to win, and to do that, we have to deliver a top performance. It’s an important game. We are neighbours in the table.

“The winners will still have the chance to reach the last eight.

“But we also know that Tottenham have won their first three home games without conceding a goal. That means we have to work hard, work a lot, and work with focus.”

This will be the fifth Champions League meeting between the sides, with Spurs winning each of the previous four, across the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns.

And Dortmund have lost 10 of their 14 away Champions League matches in England (W3 D1), including losing on seven of their most recent eight visits (W1).

Kovac also confirmed BVB are still without Marcel Sabitzer due to a calf injury, though they do have Ramy Bensebaini and Aaron Anselmino back in their squad.