​Champions League Knockout Playoff First Leg: Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund

Ahead of the match, Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač attended a press conference.

On Left-Back Ramy Bensebaini’s Absence

Kovač: "If all goes well, we expect him to return for Saturday’s (local time) match against Bochum."

On the Match Itself
Kovač: "We will be facing a fiery atmosphere. Our opponents are very strong and technically skilled, which will pose a big challenge for us in terms of ball possession. We must stay fully focused throughout the game. I believe we will put in a strong performance tomorrow. We saw many encouraging signs in our match against Stuttgart. We have demonstrated our desired playing style in training and through video analysis. Now, it’s just a matter of executing it and making the right decisions. We will get it done."

On Viktor Gyökeres
Kovač: "His progress has been remarkable—he is the best striker in the Portuguese league. Just like our opponents, we need to work hard to contain a top-class forward. It’s difficult for one player to do it alone; we need collective effort."

On Opponent Sporting CP
Kovač: "Topping the Portuguese league is no easy feat, especially with Benfica and Porto as strong competitors. This team has great quality—not just a top striker but many talented players. However, my team is prepared. This is only the first leg of a two-legged tie. We aim to get a good result tomorrow and lay a strong foundation for progressing to the next round."

On New Signing Daniel Svensson
Kovač: "Daniel Svensson is a very promising young player—sharp and focused. He actively asks questions and doesn’t attribute things to luck. I’m very pleased with his performances in training and matches. He is energetic and aggressive, so he is a strong candidate to play tomorrow."