Optimism has returned to Borussia Dortmund as the club embarks on a fresh campaign, eager to recapture the spirit that once defined the Yellow Wall. Head coach Niko Kovač, speaking from the training ground, summed up the atmosphere: “Overall, we’re blending a solid squad.” He went on to explain that while three players have departed, the club has added a mix of youthful promise and seasoned experience. “We retained the core – the goalkeeper, the central defender, the midfield anchor – and we’re now trying to recreate the Dortmund of yesteryear.” The emphasis is on bringing back the type of talent that can ignite the stadium’s famed atmosphere, players capable of delivering the high‑tempo, counter‑pressing football that has become synonymous with the club since the Jurgen Klopp era.
That style, often described as “rock‑and‑roll” football, favours aggressive pressing over possession, aiming to give fans a thrilling, emotionally charged spectacle. In recent seasons Dortmund drifted away from this identity, opting for older signings in a bid to secure Champions League qualification. The strategy leaned toward caution, a stark contrast to the club’s traditional adventurous approach. This shift left many supporters feeling the team had lost its distinctive edge.
Kovač’s reference to an experienced addition points to 27‑year‑old midfielder Joey Veerman from PSV Eindhoven, who brings composure and leadership to the midfield. However, the real buzz surrounds the arrival of two Greek wingers: the eye‑catching Giannis Konstantelias and the 18‑year‑old prospect Konstantin Karetsas. Their signings have sparked lively discussion among fans eager for fresh attacking options. During the Franz‑Beckenbauer Supercup, the excitement at Signal Iduna Park surged when Konstantelias entered the match in the second half, launching relentless runs against Bayern Munich’s defence.
Dortmund were on the brink of overturning a two‑goal deficit, and his performance hinted at the potential impact of the new arrivals. Norwegian international Julian Ryerson, speaking after the game, praised the new recruits: “It looks positive. We had good players last season, but I think these additions could take us to a new level.
I feel we’re on the right path.” The road ahead will not be easy. The departures of Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt, two players who embodied Dortmund’s black‑and‑yellow ethos, left a noticeable void.
“We need to replace those goals, that’s clear,” Kovač admitted. “When you bring in new players, there’s always a risk – you never know if it will work.” Yet that uncertainty is part of the allure. Under the guidance of new sporting director Ole Buch, Dortmund are daring to dream again, banking on the raw potential of their latest signings. “Expectations are high, especially for the two Greek attackers, because they have huge talent,” Buch noted.
Whether Kovač can coax the best out of these youngsters remains a key question. Known for his pragmatic, work‑ethic‑driven approach, Kovač has a reputation for valuing discipline over flamboyance. He has proven his credentials, having lifted the DFB‑Pokal with Eintracht Frankfurt and securing a Bundesliga‑DFB‑Pokal double with Bayern Munich.
Still, his tactical style is sometimes viewed as less inventive than that of more celebrated contemporaries. When asked about his football philosophy, Kovač replied, “If you like my style, that’s up to you.
For me, success is what matters. Since arriving, we’ve done a very good job. A coach must understand the players he has, the situation he’s in, and always adapt.” Kovač’s adaptability was evident when he took charge of Dortmund in late January 2025, a period when the club languished in the lower half of the Bundesliga and had lost its identity.
The team appeared disjointed, and European qualification seemed a distant dream. Chief executive Carsten Cramer reflected on that turnaround: “When we hired him a year and a half ago, we were in a place we never should have been. He brought us back to the Champions League.” Cramer added, “He’s committed, he loves the club, and the black‑and‑yellow fits him better than any other colours.
I’m convinced he’s the right man at the right moment.” Kovač’s early impact was immediate. He switched the formation from a back four to a back five after a few games, recognizing that the initial system was not delivering results.
He also placed a strong emphasis on physical conditioning, arguing that a fitter squad makes better decisions on the pitch. “When you’re physically prepared, you don’t have to think about whether to run back or forward – you just do it,” he explained.
These adjustments paid off. Dortmund finished fourth that season, securing a platform that propelled them to a second‑place finish the following year.
The gap to Bayern Munich narrowed from 25 points in Kovač’s first season to 16 points in his second, suggesting a closing of the traditional power gap, even if a title challenge still feels ambitious. Kovač cautioned that closing the gap requires more than tactical tweaks; it demands consistent performances and a bit of luck. “It’s also important that Bayern isn’t at their absolute best,” he said, acknowledging the competitive nature of German football where missed chances have cost Dortmund dearly – notably the title slip on the final day of 2023 and Bayern’s loss of their streak to Bayer Leverkusen in 2024.
Nevertheless, the blend of Kovač’s disciplined methodology with the high ceiling of the new talent offers a renewed sense of possibility. When asked if Dortmund could finally reclaim the glory they once enjoyed, Kovač smiled and replied, “I don’t like to speak first and then work.
I think it’s better to let the results speak for themselves.”