Dortmund's plan for the future: Younger and more spectacular
Borussia Dortmund's Fabio Silva celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and SC Freiburg at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa A convincing 4-0 Bundesliga home win over Freiburg is to be the blueprint for Borussia Dortmund's future with more attractive football and young talent. "I believe that this was a good step," new sporting director Ole Book said after Sunday's match, and coach Niko Kovac added that "we have three more games where we can show it again.
" Dortmund will aim to use the remaining games to clinch second place behind champions Bayern Munich. Sunday's big win - the 600th from 1,000 Bundesliga home games - also assured them of a top four finish and Champions League football, for the 11th straight year. Kovac took over in March 2025 and achieved a top four finish with a strong season finale.
They carried the momentum into this season but Kovac has also been criticised for at times too pragmatic approach leading to games without real flair and neglecting young talent. Sunday was a different story, with three goals in the first half of a game where 18-year-old Samuele Inacio got his starting 11 debut and 16-year-old Mathis Albert came on for his Bundesliga debut. Kovac praised the teenagers for their dedication in training through which they earned their place.
“All you have to do is show me you’re willing. Then you’ve got me,” Kovac said.