Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač has candidly acknowledged that his squad lacks the individual brilliance that powered Bayern Munich to a dominant Bundesliga title defense this season.
As Dortmund prepare for their Sunday clash at Borussia Mönchengladbach, they sit a distant second behind Bayern with only weeks remaining in the campaign. Speaking to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Kovač didn't mince words about the gap between the two clubs.
"What we perhaps lack a little is what Bayern have in abundance — an incredibly strong squad with many special individuals," Kovač said. "They have been especially successful this season in combining the attractive with the effective."
Despite recent stumbles — two losses in their last three matches — the 54-year-old Croatian remained bullish about his team's overall progress. "I am very satisfied with the development the lads have made over the past 15 months. I think we have certainly played some very good and attractive games this season too."
Kovač even projected an ambitious finish: "I believe my team are capable of 72 points — that would have made Borussia Dortmund champions in 2023. This time, unfortunately, it is not enough."
To reach that 72-point mark, Dortmund would need five points from their final three league matches — a tally that would represent their best season haul in seven years. After Gladbach, they face Eintracht Frankfurt at home and Werder Bremen away. For context, Dortmund collected 76 points under Lucien Favre in 2018-19, only to see Bayern still claim the title.
The ever-present debate about Dortmund's mentality in high-pressure moments also surfaced. "As a coach, you and your staff can take a team to a certain point. Beyond that, the player decides," Kovaç explained.
Having taken over at Signal Iduna Park in February 2025 on a contract through June 2027, Kovač urged patience, drawing a parallel with a legendary predecessor. "Jürgen Klopp also needed three years here to win his first championship as coach (in 2011)," the former Bayern boss noted.
For now, Dortmund fans will hope the current squad can channel that same long-term vision — and perhaps add a few special individuals of their own along the way.