Kovac calls on Dortmund to carry domestic ‘momentum’ into Champions League

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac called on his side to recreate their domestic form on the Champions League stage when they take on Atalanta in the knock-out play-offs on Tuesday.

Dortmund’s six-match winning run has brought them right back into contention for the Bundesliga title but, if they have been flying in Germany recently, their results in Europe have left something to be desired.

Winless in their last three league-phase outings, Dortmund finished 17th in the standings and were as a result unseeded in the draw for the play-offs.

“We want to carry the momentum we have in the Bundesliga at the moment,” Kovac told his press conference on Monday. “We want to take this momentum with our fans.”

To reach the last 16 of the Champions League, Dortmund must navigate their way past 2024 Europa League winners Atalanta.

Dortmund welcome the Serie A side this week, before facing a return trip to Italy on February 25.

“In the knockout stages, it’s all about advancing to the next round,” the former Croatian international added.

“But we can’t do that by talking a lot now, we have to work hard on the pitch.

“That gives us hope and also the belief that we can be successful in these two games against Atalanta.”

Atalanta currently occupy sixth place in the Serie A standings but have enjoyed an uptick in results on the domestic front since the turn of the year, even if their European form has also been disappointing.

“Atalanta have a really great team that has grown over the years, won the Europa League two years ago and are very high up in Italy,” Kovac said.

“It’s going to be very intense. I currently see the chances as 50-50 for both teams. Hopefully we can travel to Italy with a good result.”