"A strong unit" - Niko Kovac takes nothing for granted ahead of Werder Bremen rematch
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac held Werder Bremen in high regard ahead of their clash in the second round of the DFB-Pokal tonight.
The Bundesliga rivals meet for the second time in a space of just 18 days, as they played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in the league earlier this month.
It triggered a mini-slump for Dortmund, who failed to win their next two matches in all competitions too as their season suffered a post-international break meltdown.
But Kovac's side were able to arrest the downward spiral and restore normalcy after beating Sabah FK in the Champions League followed by a narrow win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
However, the manager feels his side must be more clinical in front of goal. Speaking to the press ahead of the clash, he said:
Of course, wins are always important for confidence. They were controlled victories; we created many chances in Baku and also against Eintracht. We need to be even more precise, sharper, and more accurate in finishing. But I saw many good moments that we can hopefully carry over into the next games.
Across those two games, the BVB mustered 13 shots on target as they recaptured their attacking mojo, but still won by just a one-goal margin on both occasions after missing several chances.
Werder Bremen will be looking to ruffle their feathers again, with the side unbeaten since a 4-1 loss to Freiburg on the opening day of the Bundesliga campaign.
Powered by the in-form Niclas Fullkrug, who has scored nine goals already this season, the River Islanders have become a serious attacking force in the league.
It’s clear that they’re doing a very good job in Bremen. Even though some key players have left, they’ve managed to put together a strong unit on the field.added Kovac
In their first meeting of the season on 9 October, Dortmund led 2-0 after Daniel Svensson and Nico Schlotterbeck scored in the 80th and 85th minute.
A fifth consecutive top-flight victory seemed inevitable, but then Ludovit Reis pulled one back in the 88th minute to give Bremen hope.
Fullkrug, a former BVB player, then headed in the equalizer from a free-kick in the 92nd minute to wipe out Dortmund's lead and help Bremen snatch a point off the game from the jaws of a defeat.
We controlled the game for 80 to 85 minutes and then let it slip away in the final eight minutes. If we can sustain over 90 minutes what we managed for 85, we’ll hopefully win the game as well.said Kovac.
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