Borussia Dortmund’s manager, Niko Kovac, has said that his team cannot afford to drop their intensity as they prepare to face 1. FC Köln.
Dortmund’s hopes of winning the Bundesliga title this season have been dented, as they are eleven points behind Bayern Munich with only seven games remaining. Their title aspirations took a hit after a 3-2 defeat at home to Bayern, despite leading earlier in the match and equalising with seven minutes left. This followed their Champions League exit against Atalanta.
Kovac Demands Full Commitment
Kovac emphasised the need for his team to invest everything if they want to win the league this season. “We want to pick up points,” said Kovac. “We want to win every game. That’s our aim.”
“We can’t afford to let up in our intensity. The lads know that, and we’re training accordingly. We aren’t allowing ourselves to think that 99 per cent is enough to achieve what we want to achieve.”
Looking ahead to the Köln match at RheinEnergieStadion, Kovac acknowledged the challenge. “They are capable of big things, especially at home in their fantastic stadium with that great atmosphere,” he said.
“That’s why we need to invest everything and work hard to beat our opponents. We need to play serious football there and not get carried away by any euphoria. It’s always difficult to play in Köln, if the mood flips from high to low or the other way around.”
Köln’s Key Player and Dortmund’s Scoring Form
Köln’s 19-year-old Said El Mala has been a significant attacking threat this season, scoring eight goals and providing three assists in 24 Bundesliga appearances. In his recent start, he scored a goal and assisted another in a 2-2 draw against Hoffenheim.
Nico Schlotterbeck scored his fourth Bundesliga goal of the season against Bayern, marking his best return in a single campaign in the German top flight. In 2026 alone, he has scored three goals in seven Bundesliga matches.
- Dortmund have scored in each of their first 24 Bundesliga games this season, a first for the club.
- The club have scored at least two goals in each of their last ten Bundesliga matches.
- Köln have lost their last four Bundesliga games against Dortmund.
Köln have also failed to score in their last three Bundesliga games against Dortmund.
Dortmund have scored in each of their first 24 Bundesliga games this season, a first for the club.
Dortmund have scored at least two goals in each of their last ten Bundesliga matches.
Dortmund are predicted to win.
Kovac stated that Dortmund need to play serious football and not get carried away by any euphoria when they face Köln.