Niko Kovac sets 17-point-target after latest Borussia Dortmund Champions League win

Borussia Dortmund moved onto nine points after four Champions League league-phase matches with a 2-1 victory over Real Betis on Wednesday night. Fabio Silva and Konstantinos Karetsas scored for Niko Kovac’s side as BVB registered their third win in four European matches and strengthened their position in the race for a top-eight finish. Speaking to DAZN after the game, Kovac highlighted the difficulty Dortmund faced against an experienced Betis side. “We created some promising plays after finding Julian Ryerson out wide. Betis was very compact in its four-three-three formation. It was obvious to everyone that this isn’t a team that accidentally stumbled into playing in the Champions League, but one that takes the field with very good, experienced players.”

Kovac sets 17-to-18-point target for Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund improved after the break, with Kovac satisfied that his side eventually earned a deserved victory. “In the second half, we played much better. We had to work hard, but the win is well-deserved and important for us. To finish in the top eight, we need seventeen or eighteen points. Now, we’ll see what happens when we go to London.” Kovac’s assessment leaves Dortmund needing another eight or nine points from their remaining four league-phase fixtures if his projected threshold proves accurate. Their next European test comes away against Arsenal after the international break before Inter visit Dortmund in December. BVB will be keen to avoid a repeat of last season’s late league-phase fade. Dortmund had collected 10 points from their opening five matches before taking only one point from their final three fixtures. A 2-2 draw with Bodø/Glimt was followed by defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Inter, leaving Dortmund outside the top eight and forcing them into the knockout play-offs. With nine points already on the board this season, Kovac’s side have again placed themselves in a strong early position. The challenge now will be maintaining that pace when the level of opposition rises over the coming weeks. GGFN | Brook Genene