Borussia Dortmund, led by its Croatian coach Niko Kovac, faces its guest Werder Bremen, with the ambition of maintaining the lead with a full mark, while the giant Bayern Munich, which is two points behind, is waiting for it when it visits Augsburg in the fifth round of the German Football League.
Kovac has defied his critics so far this season, after he led Dortmund to their best start to a Bundesliga season in more than a decade.
Many considered the former Bayern Munich coach an unconvincing option when he joined Dortmund in January 2025, but the Croatian’s strict style, which prioritizes safety, made the club dream of its first “league” title since 2012.
Dortmund leads the team standings with 12 points from 4 consecutive victories, two points ahead of Bayern.
Before hosting Bremen on Friday, Kovac expressed his happiness to be in the lead, and said on Wednesday: “We still have a very long way to go before achieving the goal that one or two people may have in their heads, but we are enjoying this moment.”
Club officials appear to be equally convinced, with Dortmund CEO Carsten Kramer confirming this week that the club intends to extend Kovac's contract.
Kramer told Agence France-Presse via its sports branch, CEED Agency: “The appreciation for Niko Kovac is very high,” adding that signing a new contract is “only a matter of time.”
This optimism is very different from the atmosphere of Kovac's arrival to Dortmund last year, which raised surprise among many fans.
Many saw Kovac, who will turn 55 next Thursday, as a not-so-brilliant option after a disappointing period at the helm of Wolfsburg and a turbulent period at Bayern Munich.
Kovac clashed with big stars because of his defensive style and his reputation as a strictly disciplined coach, despite winning the domestic “league” and “cup” double with Bayern in 2019.
These same qualities made Kovac shine in Dortmund, and transformed a team that was once fragile into one of the strongest defensive systems in the “Bundesliga.”
Kovac eventually led the team to qualify for the Champions League in 2025 by finishing in second place behind Bayern last season, despite losing 4 of its first 6 matches in the “Bundesliga”.
The Croatian built this success on his usual approach based on strict assertiveness, with an emphasis on defensive stability, discipline and physical fitness.
According to the German newspaper Kicker, Kovac's motto is "KISS", an abbreviation for "Keep it simple, you idiot."
“Nico got into the players’ heads, gave them clear instructions, and created a performance culture,” Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken told Kicker.
He added: “For a long time people said we lacked stability, but Nico gave it to us. “We are now more physically solid and our injuries are less.”
Criticism continued to haunt Kovac's playing style in a club whose modern identity was shaped by the "heavy metal ball" established by Jurgen Klopp.
Striker Julian Brandt, who later moved to the Dutch “Ajax”, told the newspaper “Bild” last December: “Honestly, it is not my favorite way to play.”
Dortmund's leadership remains convinced that Kovac's back-to-basics approach is what the club and team need.
Ricken added: “We know that there is an emotional connection to attacking football here in Dortmund, but we cannot provide fireworks in every match. When you play 50 games a season, the not-so-pretty victories become just as important as the others.
Hardly anyone now disputes that Kovac's approach has achieved results.
Dortmund have conceded only 1.02 goals on average since Kovac took charge, which is the lowest rate for any coach since Klopp.
Many are wondering, in the midst of the best start to the season in 11 years, whether Kovac can become the first coach since Klopp to lead Dortmund to the “League” title.
The coach himself maintains his realism, and said: “We have to continue to work hard, continue to believe and remain positive.”
For its part, the Bavarian giant is a heavy guest on Augsburg to continue chasing Dortmund.
On the other hand, the home team will try to pull off a surprise against the defending champion, to strengthen its place in fourth place, which it occupies with 7 points from two wins, a draw and a defeat.
Historically, the balance in the “League” is tilted in favor of the Bavaria giant, which is supervised by Belgian Vincent Kompany, after it achieved 23 victories compared to 5 defeats against its host.
The round will also witness a clash between Mainz VI and Bayer Leverkusen VI, and Leipzig will host Eintracht Frankfurt.
Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola said on Friday that his team will play Sunday's decisive match against leaders Manchester City in the English Premier League at Anfield without Alexander Isak and Cody Khakpo.
The two players returned from the international break with injuries, after Khakpo suffered an ankle injury during his participation in the Netherlands match against Serbia, while Isaac suffered a thigh injury that Iraola described as “minor” while participating with Sweden against Romania.
Isaac's absence is a major blow to Liverpool, especially after the striker finally regained his level, scoring 4 goals in his first 5 league matches.
Iraola said: “Alex Isaac and Cody Khakpo will not participate in the match, as they are not ready, and both of them suffered injuries during the international break.”
It is not believed that either injury will be long-term, as Khakpo's readiness depends on his ability to tolerate pain, while the club monitors the players' condition day by day.
Their absence may open the door for Welsh striker Louis Comas (21 years old) to lead the attack against Manchester City.
“Comas has our trust,” Iraola said. “I don’t think this is a big surprise, as I have always admired him, and he has already shown in the crucial minutes that he is ready to play, and we have other players who can fill these positions.”
Iraola pointed out that the series of difficult matches awaiting the team before the next international break in November will constitute an important test of Liverpool’s capabilities.
The Spanish coach said: “I think that the series of matches that we are playing now (with the resumption of the league and Champions League competitions) requires a lot, and it is also very intense. “So I think it will reveal a lot about our capabilities.” He added: “I think that after this series of matches, we will really know our level.”
Manchester City leads the standings as the only team to have achieved a perfect record after 5 matches, while Liverpool trails them by 6 points in sixth place, with two wins and three draws.
The competition between the two teams alone is enough to make Sunday's match a huge event, but the spotlight will be more focused on Anfield. Where City is playing for the first time since an independent committee found it guilty of more than 100 violations of the English Premier League’s financial rules.
A social media post promoting a “bus salute” urged Liverpool fans to gather near the stadium several hours before kick-off, carrying flags, banners, fireworks and torches.
Iraola said about the case: “I think that the state of uncertainty is not in the interest of any party, nor of anyone involved in the matter, but the procedures are still underway, and we must be patient like everyone and wait for what will happen in the end.”
Manchester City denied any wrongdoing and is appealing the ruling.
