“We need to be brave” – Kovač demands courage as Dortmund face Bayern

The BVB coach has laid out what he wants to see from his team and was pleased to announce that Nico Schlotterbeck can play from the start this Saturday evening.

In this afternoon’s press conference ahead of facing Bayern Munich tomorrow, Niko Kovač said his team are “looking forward” to the game and gave a personnel update. 

“Schlotti is ready to play from the start […] Emre [Can] played again after a long time. He coped well and is ready to play,” said Kovac, who will still have to reshuffle his defence.

Julian Ryerson is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card in Leipzig, while two centre-backs Niklas Süle and Filippo Mane are still unavailable through injury.

“FC Bayern Munich are a top team that will demand everything from us. We have to play to our very best from the first to the last second,” said Kovac, discussing the opposition in detail.

“We need to take our second-half performance in Munich [back in October] as a reference. We played well back then. We need to be brave in possession and keep the ball for long spells. 

“But it also depends on the opponent, who will certainly want to impose their game on us. It will be a very intense match for 90 minutes,” the 54-year-old added. 

When asked about the disappointment of their Champions League exit in Bergamo last Wednesday, Kovač said it was discussed but “the focus will be on the future”.

“Now we have to focus on tomorrow’s game. We are all looking forward to it. We have a very fit squad. It was certainly a very intense match, mentally as well.

“But we will field eleven players who will give their all. They will do everything they can to beat the German champions here in our stadium with our fans,” Kovač explained.