Ahead of the Bundesliga Match Day 34 against Holstein Kiel, Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovač had a lot to say during his pre-match press conference. Most of all, the Croat emphasized the good work his team has been doing in the past few weeks, and that changing it wouldn't be wise:
"We will not change anything in our procedures because we have done many things right in the last few weeks. We have an important game, we know that, and we don't need to change anything. We want to keep everything as it was to keep the tension high and win the game on Saturday."Niko Kovač
The experienced manager also talked about the character of playing a 'final' and how he intends to put his team in the right mood for a match like that. However, Kovač slowed down on the excitement as he doesn't think it will be an easy run:
"Finals are the games that we as coaches want to play. But we had a lot of finals, we had to win them all and we did. Now we are in control of the game. We want to win, we have to win the game, and if we can do that, we've done a good job. But it's going to be hard.""Niko Kovač
On the Kiel match itself and the prospects of Champions League football, Kovač highlighted the need for BVB to stay focused on their match and forget about the Freiburg versus Frankfurt matchup, which could also seal the Black and Yellows' destinies:
"The second goal against Leverkusen makes it clear that we have to win by two goals. But first we have to win at all, then we will see what happens in Freiburg. I won't be looking at my mobile phone and neither will the players at half-time.""Niko Kovač
In my point of view, I believe this is the right approach for BVB during this match. The Black and Yellows cannot come to this match with a guaranteed win thought while playing against a relegated team. At the same time, since BVB only relies on themselves, staying with their heads at the Signal Iduna Park only will be pivotal for achieving Champions League football for the next campaign.
"It's all about us, we don't have to look at Freiburg because we have everything in our own hands. The other teams are looking to us. But it will be hard against a team that counters well, plays strong away from home and beat us in the first leg."Niko Kovač