Kovac says Dortmund deserved defeat after passionless loss at Bodø/Glimt

Dortmund boss admits his side were second-best

Niko Kovac said Borussia Dortmund deserved their 1-0 defeat away to Bodø/Glimt after his team failed to match the Norwegian side’s energy in the Champions League clash.

Fredrik Sjovold scored the decisive second-half goal as Dortmund struggled to impose themselves. Speaking to DAZN, Kovac said his side “weren't in the game until after conceding” and lacked “the passion, intensity or football” required to win.

The Dortmund coach said his team improved only after a quadruple substitution, by which point Bodø/Glimt had been the better side. “So we can't complain. We deserved to lose the game,” he said.

Kovac takes responsibility for team selection

Kovac had made several changes to his starting eleven but accepted responsibility when asked whether those selected had failed to seize their opportunity. “I'm the one responsible for that. I picked the team, but the passion was simply missing today,” he said.

He also criticised Dortmund’s attacking play, arguing that they moved the ball into players’ feet instead of threatening space behind the defensive line. Bodø/Glimt, he said, were quicker and more agile, and attacked those spaces more effectively.

Immediate response demanded

Dortmund’s next assignment is a Bundesliga trip to Union Berlin on Saturday. Kovac warned his players to be ready for another physically demanding match from the opening whistle, insisting that commitment and determination must come before they can impose their football.