Niko Kovac says Borussia Dortmund ‘deserved to lose’ against Bodo/Glimt

Niko Kovac admitted Borussia Dortmund were beaten by the better team after a lacklustre 1-0 Champions League defeat by Bodo/Glimt in Norway on Wednesday.

Fredrik Sjovold scored the only goal in the second half as Dortmund struggled to match the home side’s pace and intensity. The German club did not find their rhythm until after falling behind and created little sustained attacking pressure before then.

“We basically weren’t in the game until after conceding,” Kovac told DAZN.

“In the first half, we didn’t play with the passion, intensity or football that we need in order to win.”

The Dortmund manager said his side improved after he made four substitutions, but believed the changes came too late to alter the overall assessment of the match.

“It was only after the quadruple substitution that we got into the game better and took control of it somewhat. But up until that point, the opposition were clearly the better team,” he said.

“So we can’t complain. We deserved to lose the game.”

Kovac also took responsibility for the starting line-up he selected for the trip to Norway, having made several changes to his team.

The Croatian said the squad possessed enough ability to perform better, but criticised the players for failing to show the required commitment.

“Ultimately, every single player in our squad has the quality to play. That didn’t work today,” he said.

“I’m the one responsible for that. I picked the team, but the passion was simply missing today.”

Dortmund’s problems were particularly evident in possession. Kovac felt Bodo/Glimt were quicker in their movement and more effective at attacking the space behind the German defence, while his own team made it too straightforward for the hosts to stay organised.

“We didn’t do well at all with the ball today. The opposition were much quicker, much more agile and attacked the spaces in behind much better than we did,” he said.

“We played everything into feet, nothing behind the defensive line. If you don’t play in behind, you can’t stretch the opposition or disrupt their defensive shape.”

The result leaves Dortmund needing an immediate response, with a Bundesliga fixture away to Union Berlin scheduled for Saturday.