Kovac said Dortmund treating every game like UCL
Niko Kovac has demanded Borussia Dortmund treat its remaining Bundesliga game like a Champions League match as it aims to book its place in Europe's top competition.
Dortmund rallied to a 4-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, ensuring Xabi Alonso did not enjoy a final win at the BayArena before leaving at the end of the season.
Julian Brandt, Julian Ryerson, Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy all scored for Dortmund, with their goals sandwiched between Jeremie Frimpong's opener and Jonas Hofmann's stoppage-time consolation.
Dortmund is on a seven-game unbeaten streak in the top-flight (W6 D1), winning each of its last four matches – both runs are club bests in 2024-2025.
During that run, it has collected a league-high 19 points, and its position of fifth is its highest since matchday 13.
With only one game left to play, against relegated Holstein Kiel, Dortmund is one point behind fourth-place Freiburg. It faces Eintracht Frankfurt, also yet to confirm its place in the Champions League next season, on the final day.
Kovac was delighted with how effective his team was against Leverkusen, and insisted it would keep up the pressure.
"Top teams don't need many chances, and top players score goals when they get chances," he said. "I demand that we approach every game as if it's a Champions League match."
Dortmund had just five shots on target against Leverkusen, scoring four of them, while its host had 22 opportunities overal.
Gregor Kobel made eight saves and had a bright start to the match as he kept Dortmund in the game under Leverkusen's increasing pressure.
"We saw a super game in difficult conditions. Gregor [Kobel] kept us in the game in the first half. We did better in the second half," Kovac said.
"The switch from 5-4-1 to 5-3-2 in the first half was already an improvement. And, when Sabitzer came on, we showed more composure and controlled the game."
