Niko Kovac faced a challenging start as Borussia Dortmund’s coach, suffering a 1:2 defeat to VfB Stuttgart in his debut, the first loss for a BVB coach in 25 years. Despite a spirited performance, Kovac expressed frustration over decision-making issues. The match raised concerns about the team’s Champions League aspirations, especially after Waldemar Anton’s own goal. Dortmund struggled to convert possession into effective attacks, with only a late goal from Julian Brandt to show for their efforts.
Niko Kovac’s Challenging Debut at Borussia Dortmund
In a surprising turn of events, Borussia Dortmund’s new coach, Niko Kovac, experienced a loss in his debut match, marking the first time in 25 years that a new BVB coach has faced such an outcome. Despite the defeat, Kovac expressed a sense of satisfaction with his team’s performance in the Bundesliga, although a specific weakness left him feeling frustrated.
Following the final whistle, Kovac was seen passionately discussing the match with referee Daniel Siebert, clearly seeking clarity on certain decisions. “The boys gave everything. We shouldn’t have left the field as losers,” he remarked, highlighting issues with “decision-making” that he felt hindered his team’s ability to capitalize on their efforts. Overall, he conveyed a sense of optimism, stating he was “quite satisfied apart from the result.”
Dortmund’s Struggles Against VfB Stuttgart
In a fiercely contested match, BVB fell to VfB Stuttgart with a score of 1:2 after a goalless first half. The loss has raised concerns about their position in the race for Champions League qualification. The positive atmosphere that had surrounded the team after recent victories under interim coach Mike Tullberg seemed to evaporate, leaving Waldemar Anton in particular feeling the heat from the fans following an unfortunate own goal.
Kovac’s strategy relied on seasoned players like Pascal Groß and Marcel Sabitzer to anchor the midfield, while Julian Brandt was expected to exploit the speed of wingers Karim Adeyemi and Jamie Gittens. Despite maintaining possession, Dortmund struggled to mount effective attacks, allowing Stuttgart to intercept their plays with relative ease.
Stuttgart capitalized on a mistake from Anton, whose short back pass nearly resulted in a goal. However, Emre Can managed to intervene just in time, showcasing his defensive skills. After halftime, Dortmund attempted to assert themselves, with Adeyemi creating chances, but their efforts were met with a solid Stuttgart defense. An unfortunate deflection by Anton led to Stuttgart’s first goal, followed by a second strike from Jeff Chabot, sealing Dortmund’s fate.
With only a late goal from Julian Brandt to show for their efforts and a yellow-red card issued to Julian Ryerson, Kovac’s post-match discussions were bound to focus on the team’s need for improvement. The match served as a wake-up call for Borussia Dortmund as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League playoff against Sporting Lisbon.
Note: An earlier version mistakenly identified Michael Skibbe as the last BVB coach to lose his debut match; in fact, Bernd Krauss was the last to do so on February 9, 2000, against VfL Wolfsburg. We apologize for this error.