Borussia Dortmund adviser Matthias Sammer backed coach Niko Kovac and rejected criticism of the club's style of play before Wednesday evening's 21:00 Champions League game against Real Betis from Seville. The match at Signal Iduna Park is also set to bring former Dortmund player Marc Bartra back with the visitors.
Sammer backs Kovac
On Sky90, Sammer singled out Kovac's ability to deal with people. He said: "He is like a gentleman, with the players, too. He has a presence. We always say people management is more important than ever nowadays, yet we still only talk about tactics. What I'm saying now is an exaggeration, but the way he leads people and the credibility he has are special."
Kovac took charge in February 2025. Sammer said: "The foundations since he arrived are incredible."
Style debate rejected
After eight Bundesliga matches, Borussia Dortmund are level with Bayern Munich at the top of the table. Some observers remain critical of Borussia Dortmund's style of play, particularly their sometimes results-oriented, unspectacular football.
Sammer rejected that criticism. He said Kovac is averaging two points per Bundesliga match and that the continuing debate over Dortmund's style of play makes little sense. He said: "I cannot accept it when, in Germany, people talk about murmurs and so on. None of that is tangible. I cannot understand it."
Bartra set for return
Bartra, now 35, will return to Dortmund's stadium with Betis almost nine years after his departure. He played for Dortmund from 2016 to 2018 and made 51 competitive appearances for the club.
Bartra was the only member of the team injured in the attack on the Dortmund team bus on 11 April 2017. He no longer wants to talk about the attack.
Bartra on Dortmund bond
Bartra told SID: "I have learned to appreciate life, my family, my team-mates and the little things we sometimes take for granted more."
He added: "That is why Dortmund will always have a special place in my heart."
Bartra said: "To return while representing Betis in such a special competition is a gift."
He added: "I'm really looking forward to it and feel a strong bond with Dortmund."
On the atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park, Bartra said: "Some stadiums you hear, others you feel. You can play in great stadiums, but the feeling at the Westfalenstadion is hard to put into words. A ferocious energy."
He added: "that the stadium has a life of its own. Everything shakes, even the ground. You have to experience it yourself."
