Kovac: We Lost Control in the Second Half, but We Can Compensate

Niko Kovac, the head coach of Borussia Dortmund, confirmed that his team performed well in the first half against French side Lille, but lost control in the second half, leading to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. The coach expressed confidence in his team's ability to secure qualification during the return match.

In his post-match statements, Kovac said: "In the first half, we played well, and we saw that Lille is a very strong team, but we had the better chances and a better approach to the game."

The Borussia Dortmund coach explained that the team struggled in the second half with losing possession easily, which gave the French side the advantage: "In the second half, we couldn't impose our style, and we lost the ball very easily. We lacked variety in our play and couldn't slow down the pace of the game, which led to us facing wave after wave of attacks."

Despite the pressure the team faced, Kovac noted that the opponent did not create many dangerous chances: "Despite the pressure we were under, Lille did not get many real chances, except for the equalizing goal."

Kovac concluded his remarks by reaffirming his confidence in his team's ability to deliver a strong performance in the return leg, stating: "I am convinced that we can achieve what is needed in the return match, and we will work on improving certain aspects to secure victory and qualification."