Maximilian Beier says Dortmund have taken another step forward under Niko Kovač

Beier: 'We want to take that extra step this season'

Borussia Dortmund finished last season as runners-up to Bayern Munich with their biggest points haul since 2018/19, and Maximilian Beier is convinced there is more to come from Niko Kovač's side this term. In an exclusive interview with the Bundesliga, the forward talks about his relationship with the head coach, Dortmund's positive start, their summer recruitment and the Halloween Klassiker against Vincent Kompany's Bayern.

A welcome break and a good start

Beier admitted the international break, which he spent largely away from the national squad, was a welcome rest. "I obviously enjoyed the time off because we have a few demanding weeks coming up. If I unexpectedly get a few days off, even if it's not by choice, I'm obviously grateful for that." He then trained with the Under-23s, joining them on the Tuesday, and worked alongside Marcel Sabitzer on the Tuesday when the U23s had the day off. "I do enjoy training in a bigger group and having more people around me."

So far in the Bundesliga this season he has one goal and two assists. "I'm happy with that. It's a good start."

Versatility and a relationship with Kovač

Beier has been deployed in several positions, a topic that drew attention over the summer. "Obviously, I'm an attacking player by trade. I've had very open discussions with the coach, and we get along very well. He also knows that I prefer to play in my natural position, but if he needs me elsewhere, I'm very happy to play there as well."

He pointed to a conversation after he was left out of the Germany squad last October and again this time as the moment that stood out. "He spoke to me a lot in those moments and made me feel good about the situation. Those conversations have stayed with me." On Kovač's approach, Beier said: "He places a lot of emphasis on small details. He values those a lot." Asked whether the style has changed, he said: "Compared to last year, I'd say we've taken another step forward in our attacking play. Defensively, we were also very compact last season... We want to continue on the same path."

Summer signings bring new options

Beier praised the summer recruitment in attack, naming Konstantinos Karetsas and Giannis Konstantelias, who is currently injured but "brings enormous quality", as well as Joey Veerman, who "brings a lot of composure to our attack and distributes the ball well". He highlighted the win at Stuttgart as a sign of the difference. "Dortmund often struggle there, but I thought we played really well and deserved to win."

Turning draws into wins

Dortmund dropped too many points last season, and Beier said it was a focus in pre-season. "It's definitely very important. It was also something we discussed in pre-season, because we simply gave away too many points last term." He cited the home game against Stuttgart, the trip to St. Pauli and the match at Hamburg as games that should have produced more points. "If we had picked up those extra points, things would have been much better. We want to take that extra step this season."

Looking ahead to Bayern

Asked about the Klassiker, Beier praised Bayern's attack. "They have world-class players throughout their attack. They can make something happen out of nowhere, and at any moment." Dortmund currently sit above Bayern in the table, and when asked whether that is a noteworthy achievement, Beier was cautious: "We'll see."