Kovac targets Revierderby win to reignite season
Niko Kovac is confident that Borussia Dortmund has the ability to turn its poor start in the Bundesliga around ahead of facing lowly Bochum this weekend.
Dortmund, which finished fifth last year and reached the UEFA Champions League final in June, is 11th in the German top-flight with just 29 points from 21 matches so far.
Indeed, this is Dortmund's worst points tally at this stage of a campaign since 2014-2015 (22 under Jurgen Klopp), collecting a league-low four points since the turn of the year.
Furthermore, Dortmund has conceded 36 goals so far this term, its joint-worst defensive record at this stage since 2000 – the same as 2007-2008 and 2021-2022.
That run of form saw previous head coach Nuri Sahin sacked, with Niko Kovac, who previously managed Bayern Munich to a title, now at the helm.
After losing his first game in charge to Stuttgart, Kovac secured his maiden win with a 3-0 victory over Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League play-off first leg tie in midweek.
"Our team is willing and ready to change things. We have quality and the ability to achieve the goals we have set ourselves," Kovac said.
"Our team is capable of playing in a back three or back four. We are very variable, also in the build-up play. We need flexibility."
With 11 points from the first 21 games, this is Bochum's worst Bundesliga campaign.
No team in league history with a record this poor at this stage of the season has stayed up, but Bochum has won 82 per cent of its points this season at home.
Bochum has also won just one of its past 13 Bundesliga games against Dortmund and is winless in six Bundesliga home games against Dortmund since 2007.
Despite its recent record in the Revierderby, Kovac is bracing for a tough test against the Bundesliga's bottom club.
"We know what to expect from Bochum. Bochum are fighting to avoid relegation," Kovac said.
"We can expect a fight and a lot of tackles. We have to accept that in order to leave the pitch as winners."
Dortmund will be without Chelsea loanee Carney Chukwuemeka because of injury, as well as Ramy Bensebaini and Julian Ryerson, with the latter suspended.
"Julian Ryerson is suspended. Ramy Bensebaini is not yet available. Carney has some problems with his knee. He won't be involved tomorrow," Kovac added.
