Kovac reacts to crushing 4-0 defeat: “We need to defend together”

Niko Kovac has shared his thoughts on Borussia Dortmund’s 4-0 defeat to FC Barcelona.

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac has weighed in on his side’s humbling 4-0 defeat to FC Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.

The loss, which leaves Dortmund facing a steep uphill battle in the return leg, was a tough pill to swallow. Speaking at his post-match press conference, Kovac admitted his side fell short defensively, despite glimpses of promise throughout the match.

“Well, defeats always hurt, especially big ones. But I saw some good things out there and now it’s my job to communicate them to my players. We face Bayern [away in the Bundesliga on Saturday] and they’re at a similar level to Barcelona. All in all, over our next two games we need to position ourselves much better defensively,” he said.

“We need to defend together. If we don’t do that with intensity against a team like this, who have more than one world-class player, then it’s too difficult. I saw players of mine running hard, working hard and having some goal chances.”