If you thought the Champions League couldn't get any more thrilling, Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač is here to tell you otherwise—and he's got a unique perspective on the matter. Speaking after Paris Saint-Germain's jaw-dropping 5-4 victory over his former club Bayern Munich, Kovač admitted he was swept away by the spectacle, even if his coaching instincts left him a little uneasy.
"There are two perspectives," Kovač said on Thursday. "First, as a neutral—just letting yourself be carried along. That was sensational. I have to say: I really enjoyed it." But then came the coach's lens: "If you look at it from a coaching perspective, I don't know how my heart would have held up. Conceding five or four goals is a bit much."
Kovač, who led Bayern to a Bundesliga and German Cup double in 2019 as their manager and also won the league as a player with the club, didn't hold back in praising the two heavyweights. He called PSG and Bayern "the best teams in Europe at the moment," adding, "Let's not kid ourselves about what the top-tier product is right now: it's Bayern Munich, it's PSG. All the other clubs in Europe are watching with great interest."
The second leg of this epic semi-final is set for Munich next Wednesday, and Kovač's comments come at a time when his own Dortmund side are battling for supremacy in the Bundesliga. Bayern have already clinched the title, but Dortmund are locked in a fight for the runner-up spot—a position that's been a source of pressure for Kovač, who's faced criticism for a sometimes overly pragmatic approach.
Looking ahead, Dortmund can all but secure second place with a win at Borussia Mönchengladbach this weekend. "We expect another intense game," Kovač said, "but we want to win because there are still nine points to be won this season."
For fans watching at home, whether you're donning your team's colors or just love the beautiful game, this Champions League drama is a reminder that football at its best is pure adrenaline. And if you're gearing up for match day, make sure you're ready in style—because no matter whose side you're on, the action on the pitch demands your full attention.