'Is attractiveness more important than success?' – Kovac hits back at Dortmund critics

Niko Kovac claimed Borussia Dortmund do not have to play attractive football in every game as long as they are successful, responding to criticism that their points tally does not match his style.

Not since 2018-19 have Dortmund had more points at this stage of a Bundesliga season than their current tally of 67, but questions have been asked about the side's style.

Dortmund have suffered just four defeats all season, with only champions Bayern Munich bettering their 65 goals, but Kovac's critics have claimed they are not easy on the eye.

However, ahead of facing Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday, Kovac highlighted the need to find the right balance between style and substance.

"Of course, the expectations at Borussia Dortmund are significantly higher than at the other 16 Bundesliga clubs," Kovac told the FAZ.

"I ask you: who, apart from Bayern Munich, consistently plays attractive football in the Bundesliga? And is attractiveness more important than success?

"You have to realise that the Bundesliga isn't a theatre stage where every performance goes the same way; a lot of it is unpredictable.

"Hardly any club offers its fans four goals and an attacking spectacle every week. I think we've certainly put on some very good and entertaining matches this season."

Gladbach are towards the bottom of the Bundesliga but still have a six-point buffer over the relegation play-off place, despite failing to win any of their last six games.

Their struggles could play into Dortmund's hands, with Kovac aiming to scoop up maximum points from their remaining three matches.

"I believe my team can reach 72 points – that would have made Borussia Dortmund German champions in 2023," he added.

"Unfortunately, it won't be enough this time."

Gladbach, Frankfurt und Bremen – rein in den 𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐓!

Zur Übersicht:
https://t.co/IBOntQUL77 pic.twitter.com/4vSYtD7CGX

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) May 1, 2026

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Borussia Monchengladbach – Moritz Nicolas

Gladbach have kept a clean sheet in 11 of their 31 games in the Bundesliga so far this season, with only Dortmund (14) keeping more.

Nicolas has faced the fourth-highest shots in the German top-flight (453), but no goalkeeper has made more saves than his 125.

Borussia Dortmund – Julian Ryerson

Ryerson recently recorded his eighth assist from a set-piece in the Bundesliga this season, the most in the league. He is now just one away from equalling Zlatko Junuzovic's single-season record from 2014-15 (nine, since 2004-05).

However, Ryerson has played more Bundesliga games against Gladbach (12) without being involved in a single goal than against any other opponent.

MATCH PREDICTION: BORUSSIA DORTMUND WIN

Dortmund are unbeaten in their last six competitive meetings with Gladbach (W5 D1) and have won 20 of their last 25 encounters; in the remaining five matches, there was one draw and four wins for Gladbach, with all five of those results occurring at home.

The Black and Yellow have 67 points from 31 Bundesliga matches, their best return at this stage since 2018-19 (69).

However, they are looking to avoid losing consecutive Bundesliga away games for the first time since January 2025 (under Nuri Sahin), after going down 2-1 to Hoffenheim.

Gladbach, meanwhile, have managed just two wins in the second half of this season, with only Wolfsburg recording fewer (one).

They are currently unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga home games (W2 D3), though, with only RB Leipzig on a longer such run in the league (six); Gladbach's last home defeat was against VfB Stuttgart in January (0-3).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Borussia Monchengladbach – 28.3%

Draw – 24.4%

Borussia Dortmund – 47.3%