Borussia Dortmund triumphed over OSC Lille with a 2:1 victory, securing a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. They will face FC Barcelona next, raising questions about their ability to continue this success while struggling in the Bundesliga. Coach Niko Kovac reflects on the team’s inconsistency, excelling in Europe but faltering domestically. Despite the challenges, the players aim to stabilize their performances, with a critical match against RB Leipzig approaching.
With a thrilling 2:1 win over OSC Lille, Borussia Dortmund has secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. This season, the only thing we can count on with BVB is their unpredictability.
Following a strong performance in the Champions League round of 16, Borussia Dortmund is set to clash with FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals. The pressing question remains: Can they maintain their momentum from Lille and finally turn their Bundesliga fortunes around?
Weeks ago, Niko Kovac and Hansi Flick had already planned their reunion. The Borussia Dortmund coach warmly congratulated his former assistant on his 60th birthday, sharing his thoughts after the match in Lille, albeit with a hoarse voice. The two former colleagues had agreed that facing each other would be quite exciting.
Now, this ex-Bayern duo is pitted against each other for a coveted spot in the Champions League semi-finals. ‘I am incredibly proud. Honestly, I’ve been feeling under the weather for days—shouting for 40,000 fans surely didn’t help,’ Kovac remarked with a grin.
Top of Europe but Average in the Bundesliga
On the return flight to Paderborn, the team was accompanied by an uncommon passenger: self-confidence. ‘We’re back among the elite eight in Europe,’ expressed sporting director Sebastian Kehl, pleased with the victory in France, ‘this is a fantastic indicator.’ However, his subsequent comment was revealing: ‘It illustrates that this team is capable of achieving great things.’
Coach Kovac perceives his unpredictable squad as ‘born for such high-stakes matches’—but therein lies the issue. Under the bright lights of prestigious arenas, this team often excels, yet they struggle against clubs like FC Augsburg in the league. The current contrast in BVB’s performance is stark: they rank among the top eight in Europe but only among the top ten in Germany. Why is this the case? ‘Sometimes, that’s just how it goes,’ sighed Karim Adeyemi, shaking his head. ‘It’s tough.’
Players Confounded by Inconsistency
Adeyemi’s handling of the ball in midfield led to an early goal against (5th minute), perfectly capturing the bizarre rollercoaster that has characterized BVB’s season: defeats, misfortunes, and errors. Yet, the Dortmund players demonstrated resilience, turning the game around convincingly. On one hand, they succeeded; on the other hand, advancing to the quarter-finals is no easier feat than facing Sporting Lisbon and Lille. ‘We’re not content with delivering such performances and then excelling in the Champions League,’ Adeyemi stated. ‘Sometimes, life just doesn’t go as planned.’
The players are baffled by the fluctuating performances. BVB has proven their capability in the Champions League, but now they must stabilize their form and embark on a winning streak in the Bundesliga. This Saturday evening (6:30 PM), BVB is set to take on RB Leipzig in a crucial match.
Carrying Momentum from Lille
The phenomenon of dual performance—marked by the striking contrast between league consistency and European brilliance—remains a mystery even to BVB officials. Last season, captain Emre Can and his team salvaged an average campaign through their unexpected journey to the Champions League final in London (0:2 against Real).
For Lille, coach Niko Kovac revitalized his squad with an intense pep talk. Following a disappointing league loss to Augsburg, the message was ‘clear and direct.’ It ultimately comes down to the right attitude. Sporting director Kehl also acknowledged their hard work: ‘They invested a lot and pushed themselves to the limit.’ He promptly demanded, ‘They must replicate that effort on Saturday.’
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