Kovac Praises Kimmich: BVB Coach Admits Bayern Star Was Decisive in Klassiker

Dortmund’s Bundesliga title hopes suffered a significant blow Saturday as Bayern Munich secured a 3-2 victory in Der Klassiker, a match decided, according to Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac, by the exceptional quality of Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich. The result extends Bayern’s lead at the summit of the Bundesliga to 11 points, leaving Dortmund with a considerable mountain to climb.

Kimmich’s impact on the match was multifaceted. He scored the decisive goal in the 87th minute, a volley that sealed the win for Bayern at Signal Iduna Park. Beyond the goal, Kimmich played a pivotal role in Harry Kane’s opening goal, and statistically dominated the match, recording the most touches (103), completed passes (81), and shots on target (three) of any player on the pitch.

“the world-class quality of Joshua Kimmich was simply decisive,” Kovac stated after the match, as reported by multiple sources. “How he assisted the first goal and scored the third – that was the key.” Kovac further highlighted Kimmich’s technique on the winning goal, noting, “Other players would have place that one on the roof.” He also acknowledged the quality of Kimmich’s assist for Kane’s goal, stating it was a moment a rival coach had to recognize.

The match itself was a back-and-forth affair. Dortmund took the lead initially, but Bayern responded with goals from Kane, assisted by Kimmich, and ultimately Kimmich’s winner. The game followed a difficult week for Dortmund, who were recently eliminated from the Champions League by Atalanta in a dramatic contest.

Despite the defeat, Kovac acknowledged the quality of the opposition. “Bayern this season is offensively absolute world-class – almost everyone concedes multiple goals against them,” he said. He also pointed to defensive shortcomings within his own team, stating, “Defensively, we could have done better.” However, he expressed satisfaction with his team’s offensive performance, despite it ultimately being insufficient.

Kovac’s assessment of the match extended beyond the immediate result, offering a broader perspective on Dortmund’s progress and Bayern’s spending power. “Last season we had 25 points behind, now it’s eleven. That is already a development,” he noted. He contrasted Dortmund’s strategy of developing players with Bayern’s approach of acquiring established stars for significant transfer fees, stating, “The Bayerns buy for 60, 70 million, we gain development players.”

With the Bundesliga title seemingly slipping away, Dortmund’s focus now shifts to securing Champions League qualification for next season. “With 52 points after 24 games, we are not doing so badly, we want to get a few more,” Kovac explained. “We want to quickly get into the Champions League, and I would like to cross the finish line on this pitch.” Dortmund will have a week off before traveling to Koln on March 7th.

The defeat marks a turning point in the Bundesliga title race, solidifying Bayern Munich’s position as clear favorites. Kimmich’s performance underscored his importance to Bayern’s success, and his ability to influence games both offensively and defensively. For Dortmund, the challenge now is to regroup and focus on securing a Champions League spot, whereas acknowledging the growing gap between themselves and the dominant force in German football.

Kovac’s post-match comments, echoed across German sports media, highlight the respect he has for Kimmich’s abilities, even in defeat. He described Kimmich as “the small, but fine difference” in the match, a testament to the midfielder’s impact on a high-stakes encounter. The loss serves as a stark reminder of the quality Bayern possesses and the challenges Dortmund faces in their pursuit of silverware this season.