Book and Kovač demand Dortmund be "more ruthless" after narrow Sabah win

Borussia Dortmund's narrow 2-1 win over Sabah this evening left sporting director Ole Book content with the result but frustrated by his side's failure to put the game to bed, with head coach Niko Kovač echoing the demand for a sharper, more ruthless edge in front of goal.

Speaking to DAZN at full-time, Book admitted Dortmund had made life harder for themselves than necessary despite returning from a long trip with all three points.

"We definitely could have helped ourselves out today by being more ruthless," Dortmund's sporting director said. "When you travel this far — and not just us, but the fans as well — it only makes it sweeter to get the three points."

Book also framed the victory as a welcome release after a difficult run, referencing the side's recent setback abroad.

"We were also critical because of our loss in Norway [to Bodø/Glimt last week]. It feels good to get a victory after three winless games," he said.

Even so, Book struck an optimistic note about the direction of travel under Kovač.

"On the other hand, we also took a significant step forward in terms of the way we played football," he said.

Kovač: 'We no doubt would have won by three or four goals'

Kovač, who had publicly challenged his players to deliver before the trip and labelled them "the clear favourites" in comments reported on 20 October, was pleased with the attacking output but critical of the lapses that allowed Sabah back into the contest.

"We played a really good attacking game today and created a lot of chances. If we had even capitalized on half of them, we no doubt would have won by three or four goals," Kovač said. "We made small mistakes here and there, which allowed our opponent back into the game. It was a tough battle, but totally deserved."

The result followed earlier reporting that Serhou Guirassy had scored twice to sink Sabah and end Dortmund's three-match winless run in the UEFA Champions League league phase, though the Bundesliga side were made to sweat after a wasteful second-half display in Baku.

Focus turns to Frankfurt

Dortmund's attention now turns back to domestic action, with the club preparing for Saturday's Bundesliga Topspiel against Eintracht Frankfurt. Book and Kovač will be hoping the finishing touch they found wanting in Azerbaijan is firmly in place by the weekend.