This BVB is encouraging – it could be an exciting title fight

It's not new, but it's always astonishing how quickly perceptions change. After BVB lost 1-0 at Bodö Glimt in the Champions League two and a half weeks ago and couldn't get past a 0-0 draw at Union Berlin three days later, the verdict was clear: This team will never learn - and especially not from this coach. Niko Kovac, who had recently extended his contract until 2029, was the wrong choice: not innovative enough, too old-fashioned - just like the football he plays.

Not all BVB fans put it this way, but some did. And many others had doubts as to whether the club's chosen path was still the right one with this line-up.

After the so-called German classic, there is now a lot of praise for Kovac. His tactical change was crucial in helping BVB draw 2-2 in Munich. The back four in defense, which Dortmund haven't played with in the Bundesliga for a year and a half, was the right signal. It gave the team courage.

There's something to that. Because no Dortmund team has appeared so courageous in Munich for a long time. And the fact that a point – albeit a lucky one – was achieved feeds the fantasy that there could be something of a fight for the title this season. Should it happen like that: The German football world would be eternally grateful to Borussia - after the many years in the Bundesliga's history in which the awarding of the championship was characterized by yawning boredom.

However, anyone who believes that Dortmund's development, which became apparent on Saturday, is already a guarantee of this, is making several errors in thinking. On the one hand - and this is the decisive factor: the framework conditions under which the two German model clubs work are gigantic different in every single factor: sales, profits and market values. And the gap will widen even further in the coming years. If Bayern, as happened, earn around 250 million euros by selling just five percent of their shares to the Viessmann Group, it shows that they are not only a German but also an international heavyweight. The people of Dortmund can't even dream of that.

The other aspect that needs to be taken into account: BVB is in a phase that is exciting in terms of sport, but also characterized by uncertainties. Kovac, sports director Lars Ricken and sports director Ole Book have been trying to realign the team since last summer: away from pragmatic results-based football - towards more game culture, offensive spirit and, ideally, spectacle. Creative players like Karetsas, Konstantelias and Nwanery were brought in for this purpose.

This transformation took time – and will continue to take time. It cannot be forced. Anyone who risks too much too soon would pay a price - that the defensive foundation on which development has been built since Kovac started working in February 2025 could crumble. Because, apart from Serhou Guirassy and in contrast to the Bayern superstars like Kane, Olise, Saibari or Luis Diaz, Dortmund's offensive forces are still talents. They still lack tactical maturity. Even the individual error rate of Dortmund's key player Felix Nmecha, who is now somewhat experienced, is much higher than that of Joshua Kimmich, for example. These are the realities.

Nevertheless, it is hopeful that BVB and Kovac now have more confidence in themselves again. The courageous approach perhaps also had something to do with the fact that there had often been clear defeats in Munich in previous years - despite supposed risk avoidance.

The truth, however, is that Dortmund were not completely immune to it this time either. Bayern had a lot of chances. Nevertheless: Kovac's team was not impressed by two deficits. She presented herself as resilient. Dortmund mentality problems? That was yesterday. It could actually be an exciting season.