Dortmund must show ´different face´ to produce Champions League miracle, says Kovac

Niko Kovac knows Borussia Dortmund will need to be a team transformed if they are to have any hope of a miraculous Champions League comeback against Barcelona.

Former Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski scored twice, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal also on target, as Barcelona won the first leg of the teams’ quarter-final tie 4-0.

Only one four-goal first-leg advantage has ever been successfully overturned in the Champions League, with Barca fighting back from 4-0 down to beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-5 on aggregate in 2017.

Dortmund, Champions League runners-up in 2024, are massive underdogs on home soil on Tuesday, with Barca yet to lose a game since the turn of the year.

“We know the situation. We want to show a completely different face tomorrow than in the first leg and win the game,” Kovac told reporters on Monday.

“There are always miracles, but we also know that Barcelona haven’t lost a competitive game yet this year.

“We have to be there from the first minute tomorrow and get the fans on our side. We’ll only get the necessary wind from them, the willingness to run.”

Dortmund, who have also struggled in the Bundesliga and are eighth in the standings on 42 points, could be without captain Emre Can, who has been playing through injury.

“We rested Emre in training today. He’s had muscular problems in his adductor area for weeks now and he’s always gritting his teeth,” Kovac said.

“You have to emphasise that. It’s possible he won’t play tomorrow, we’ll have to see.”

Dortmund could rely on Felix Nmecha to fill the void if Can does not make it, with the former Wolfsburg man having recently returned from injury himself.

Kovac said of Nmecha: “Felix has developed very well as a player and as a person.

“He can do everything on the ball, has great dynamics and is a complete player. After his long injury, he’s still a little behind in terms of fitness.”