Kovač lowers expectations despite Dortmund's win over Betis in the Champions League

Despite Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Champions League, coach Niko Kovač preferred to exercise caution regarding direct qualification for the Round of 16, sending an unexpected message to temper expectations.

The Croatian coach clarified that he is not necessarily targeting a top-eight finish in the league, which guarantees direct qualification to the Round of 16, but prefers to focus on securing a position between ninth and twelfth to ensure playing the return leg of the playoff at home.

Kovač said: "We want to reach the next stage. There are many teams that currently have 9 points, and you will definitely need 17 or 18 points to finish the league stage in the top eight," pointing out that there are other teams with greater quality to achieve this goal.

He added: "We want to occupy one of the positions from ninth to twelfth, and that would be ideal for us to play the return match at home."

Borussia Dortmund currently has 9 points after 4 matches, sitting in 12th place on goal difference from the top eight positions, having achieved 3 victories against 1 defeat. They face tough tests against Arsenal, Inter, and Aston Villa, before meeting AEK Athens in the final round of the league stage.