Dortmund coach Kovac: 'Bayern won't underestimate us' in top clash

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said that Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich won't underestimate his side when they meet on Saturday for their first top clash of the season. Earlier this week, Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken said that he feels that Bayern don't perceive his team as a real opponent any more.

Dortmund coach Niko Kovac is pictured before the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund at Mewa Arena. Kovac said that Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich won't underestimate his side when they meet on Saturday for their first top clash of the season. Torsten Silz/dpa
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac is pictured before the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund at Mewa Arena. Kovac said that Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich won't underestimate his side when they meet on Saturday for their first top clash of the season. Torsten Silz/dpa

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said that Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich won't underestimate his side when they meet on Saturday for their first top clash of the season.

Earlier this week, Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken said that he feels that Bayern don't perceive his team as a real opponent any more.

But Kovac said in a news conference on THursday: "Bayern won't underestimate us, they also know about our quality.

"At home, they often start like a fire brigade, especially then it's important for us to hold strong against that. Then something is possible. Even in Munich, they know that we can play football."

Dortmund dropped points in a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig before the international break and can't take the Bundesliga lead from Bayern, but a win would see them close the gap to the top to one point.

"We see in what form Bayern currently find themselves," Kovac said. Bayern have won all of their six games in the league so far this season.

"But we want to focus on our own game and play successful football," he added.

Defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who just recently returned from injury, has a cole "but we're assuming it will fit again by the weekend," Kovac said.

Top striker Serhou Guirassy flew back to Germany in the middle of international duty because he was "physically very weakened," according to the Guinea national team.

But he was "able to prepare really well for Saturday," Kovac said.

Category: General Sports