"Eintracht were really good" - Kovac heaps praise on former side as Dortmund progress in cup on shootouts

Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac was impressed by his former side, Eintracht Frankfurt's performance in their DFB-Pokal Cup clash on Tuesday.

Der BVB knocked out the Eagles in the second round of the competition following a 4-2 penalty shootout victory after the sides finished level at 1-1 following 120 minutes of action.

Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel denied Frankfurt midfielder Faris Chaibi, sending them through to the third round, the draw for which will be made on 2 November.

The game also marked an emotional return to the Deutsche Bank Park for Kovac, who was at the helm of Frankfurt for two years, even guiding them to the DFB-Pokal Cup glory in 2018.

Following a tense clash, the 54-year-old commended the home side for using the home advantage well but also felt emphatic towards them following their elimination. Speaking to the media after the game, he said:

""Today's game could not have been decided differently because both teams gave it their all. We're happy to progress, but I feel for Eintracht, because I know it's tough to be eliminated.

It was a tough match for us because Eintracht were really good. They had the home advantage, with their fans, and they used it well. But in the Cup you don't celebrate the games.""

said Kovac

Frankfurt, who had beaten Dortmund 2-0 in their last encounter, went in front once more as Ansgar Knauff fired them in front after seven minutes from a defense-splitting pass by former Dortmund star Mario Gotze.

Looking toothless in the opening stanza, so much so that there was not a single shot on target, Dortmund came out flying out of the blocks after the interval and Julian Brandt made it 1-1 in the 48th minute.

With no further goals in the contest, even in extra-time, the game was decided by penalties, where Frankfurt's Ritsu Doan missed his attempt before Kobel denied Chaibi.

Dortmund converted all four of their spot-kicks and earned a place in the next round of the cup. Kovac backed his side to continue doing their best in the competition:

"“You only need to continue to the next round and give it all you have. And that's what the boys did, from the first until the 120th minute. In the end, it's like roulette.""

said Kovac

After defeating Augsburg on the road in their Bundesliga clash, Dortmund now turn their focus back to the Champions League as they pay Pep Guardiola and Man City a visit on Wednesday.