Overview
- Dortmund suffered a 0:1 Champions League defeat to FK Bodø/Glimt on Wednesday in Bodø after a rotated starting XI failed to match the hosts' pace and intensity.
- Kovac began the game with Fábio Silva, Kostas Karetsas and Samuele Inacio while leaving Serhou Guirassy, Felix Nmecha and Ethan Nwaneri on the bench as a selection aimed at handling the artificial turf.
- The coach said he takes full responsibility for the lineup choice and a 59th‑minute four‑player substitution that brought on Guirassy, Nmecha, Nwaneri and Julian Ryerson improved Dortmund's play but arrived too late to rescue the result.
- Club leaders publicly backed Kovac after his recent contract extension through 2029 but warned the team that the lack of intensity 'must not happen again' and demanded a prompt on‑field reaction.
- The defeat cost Dortmund three Champions League points, reduces short‑term revenue upside from the group, and increases pressure to make clear tactical and selection changes for Saturday's away game at Union Berlin.