BVB is approaching the Champions League: Kovac conjures up for eleventh place!

BVB is approaching the Champions League: Kovac conjures up for eleventh place!

The path of Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League qualification is like a sporty adventure that takes off almost a year after a disappointing start to the season. In the 2022/23 season, it looked bleak after a disastrous 0: 2 against RB Leipzig on March 15, 2023. BVB then took eleventh place and was ten points behind the Champions League ranks. Nico Schlotterbeck, defender of the team, described the prospect of reaching the European elite as "almost impossible". But the turn came promptly.

In the six games that followed, the team under coach Niko Kovač won five wins and played a draw against FC Bayern. Two game days before the end of the season, BVB is suddenly only one point behind SC Freiburg, which is in fourth place. Historically, this promotion to the top four for BVB can be, because for the second time in his Bundesliga history, a team from eleven could climb a Champions League place-the last time this happened in the 1993/94 season. The dynamics of the second half of the season shows that Dortmund is the third best team and leads the last six game days with 19 goals achieved, which most are in this period.

Kováč's successful changes

Niko Kovač, who took over on the 20th matchday, implemented a new game system with a triple chain in defense. Under his leadership, the intensity of the game increased considerably. The BVB releases an average of 16 goal shots per game and has more chances with more running and duel willingness. Kovač has proven to be an effective tactician who adapts the formation due to the situation, usually switching between a chain of three and a double tip. This was also regarded as an important factor for improved exploitation of opportunities and defensive.

Special achievements show players like Serhou Guirassy, ​​who scored 12 goals in the second half of the season and has already scored 62 goals in his first 99 Bundesliga games. Karim Adeyemi also set an example when he laced a double pack in the last game against Wolfsburg. Pascal Groß is seen as a key player under Kovač and has collected most of the season and nine templates with 952 minutes. Julian Brandt also increased and came to eight templates this season. bundesliga.com reports of the promising developments.

cultural change in the team

Kovač has also established a new performance culture that emphasizes discipline and team spirit. Players who do not meet the requirements can be found on the bench. The trainer uses psychological elements, such as writing down the favorite positions of his players, which Sebastian Kehl praised as a creative measure. With clear communication, Kovač manages to form a closed team that works together for success.

Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck were strengthened as central leaders, the latter is viewed internally as the future captain. Kováč's ability to involve the wishes and strengths of his players in the tactical approaches contributes to increasing the fighting spirit and aggressiveness on the pitch. The trainer has proven to be an engine of this impressive development and ensures that the BVB is confident in the remaining games. Further information on the effects of coaching changes in the Bundesliga can be found on Transfermarkt.de .