Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac’s facet are already seven factors behind league leaders Bayern Munich with simply 10 video games performed. Photograph: AFP
BERLIN:
Borussia Dortmund host German Cup holders Stuttgart on Saturday within the Bundesliga with one more shot at a title slowly slipping away from the grasp of Niko Kovac’s facet.
Appointed Dortmund coach with the membership flailing final January, Kovac steadied the ship, pushing his facet to assert 22 of a potential 24 factors to sneak into Champions League qualification.
The efficiency led to whispers Dortmund might be able to mount a title problem this marketing campaign, 14 years for the reason that final time they lifted the protect.
However this 12 months, Dortmund already sit seven factors behind Bayern Munich with simply 10 video games performed.
Kovac’s facet are as soon as once more dropping factors far too simply, towards good sides and dangerous.
Towards strugglers St Pauli and Hamburg, Dortmund conceded late equalisers away from dwelling.
Towards formidable sides who share Dortmund’s expectations — Bayern and RB Leipzig — the 2024 Champions League finalists have come up quick.
Dortmund sit third, stage on factors with Stuttgart however forward on aim distinction.
Stuttgart have been within the second division as not too long ago as 2019-20, however they’ve had the higher of Dortmund in latest seasons.
Underneath Sebastian Hoeness, named Stuttgart coach in April 2023, Stuttgart are unbeaten towards Dortmund, profitable 5 and drawing as soon as.
Dortmund poached Stuttgart’s star striker Serhou Guirassy and captain Waldemar Anton in 2024, however the destructive document continues.
Hoeness advised reporters on Thursday: “I like taking part in towards Dortmund, you are taking part in towards a prime group. It is enjoyable — however I did not really know the document was so good.
“Enjoying in Dortmund is without doubt one of the most difficult matches you will get within the Bundesliga.”
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich will hope to rebound from dropping factors for the primary time in any competitors at Union Berlin final matchday after they host Freiburg on Saturday.
Additionally on Saturday, 2024 title winners Bayer Leverkusen journey to floundering Wolfsburg, whereas second-placed RB Leipzig play at dwelling towards Werder Bremen on Sunday.
One to observe: Danilho Doekhi (Union Berlin)
Of their final Bundesliga sport, defender Doekhi and his Union Berlin facet did one thing no one in Europe has managed to do that season — take some extent from Bayern Munich.
Doekhi scored twice as Union sealed a 2-2 draw with Bayern, and the Dutchman advised AFP and different media on Wednesday his facet could have discovered the key treatment to cease the barnstorming Bayern.
“We have been actually aggressive,” he stated. “We all know it isn’t simple to play in our stadium with our followers behind us and we tried to get them behind us from the primary second.
“We gained the duels and we not solely defended, we have been harmful in some assaults. I believe it labored out fairly properly.”
The efficiency and Union’s spectacular document this season imply the facet shouldn’t be dragged into any relegation battles this season, however Doekhi warned towards complacency.
“The Bundesliga is a troublesome league,” he stated. “If in case you have a nasty interval, you could be on the backside of the desk. We now have to watch out about that.”
Key stats
13 – Harry Kane has 13 targets in 10 video games to this point this season. Three gamers, together with Bayern teammate Luis Diaz, are subsequent on the record with six.
7 – St Pauli have misplaced seven video games in a row.
7 – In 10 league video games, Dortmund have conceded simply seven targets, however each time Kovac’s facet have conceded a aim, they’ve dropped factors.
Fixtures (1430 GMT until acknowledged)
Friday
Mainz v Hoffenheim (1930)
Saturday
Heidenheim v Borussia Moenchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund v Stuttgart, Bayern Munich v Freiburg, Augsburg v Hamburg, Wolfsburg v Bayer Leverkusen, Cologne v Eintracht Frankfurt (1730)
Sunday
RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen, St Pauli v Union Berlin (1630)
