Kovac sets sights on Champions League spot

Niko Kovac believes the home crowd of Signal Iduna Park can spur Borussia Dortmund on against Wolfsburg as they continue to push for a Champions League spot.

Dortmund were sat as low as 11th earlier this year, but have turned their season around since Kovac took charge in February.

They now sit sixth in the Bundesliga table, three points behind fourth-placed Freiburg, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualifying spot.

Dortmund are given a 27% chance of finishing in the top four by the Opta supercomputer, but still have work to do to overturn the odds, with Freiburg given a 50% chance of holding on.

“We’re within striking distance again,” Kovac said ahead of Saturday’s match.

“The game is very important. We’re focusing on our opponents because we’re dependent on the other teams, and we have to do our homework.

“It’s about showing the same energy as in the last few games. If we play our game like we have in recent weeks, I’m convinced that we can unleash a force with the crowd that Wolfsburg will find difficult to counter.”

Dortmund have collected 19 points from nine games since the start of matchday 23 (W6 D1 L2) – only Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen have claimed more during this period (20 each).

Thirteen of those points have come in the last five games, which has seen Dortmund climb the table, with three games left to salvage their campaign.

If not the Champions League, they can still qualify for the Europa League, with RB Leipzig, who face Bayern earlier on Saturday, in fifth, one point above Dortmund.

Kovac also managed Wolfsburg between 2022 and 2024, and the Croatian is wary of the Lower Saxony side, even though Dortmund have a superb record against them at home.

Dortmund have not lost in their last 11 Bundesliga home games against Wolfsburg (W9), a run that dates back to 2012. Wolfsburg have scored just one goal at Signal Iduna Park since the 2016-17 season.

In all competitions, the Black and Yellow have only lost two of their last 20 meetings with Wolfsburg (W16 D2).

“They’re dangerous from set pieces and in transition. We have to be careful there,” Kovac said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone [at Wolfsburg] again, but we also know the importance of the game. Friendships will be put aside for 90 minutes.”