Borussia Dortmund find themselves in a fascinating position as they seek to translate their renewed life on the European stage into consistent performance in the Bundesliga. Under the guidance of Niko Kovac, the club’s resurgence in continental competition has offered hope, but the challenge remains: can that energy and success carry into the domestic league where lapses have cost them too often?
A contrast in fortunes
Dortmund’s European campaign has shown bright signs of revival. Most notably, Kovac has challenged his players to treat Bundesliga fixtures with the same intensity as Champions League clashes, citing their recent victory over Lille OSC as a blueprint for domestic ambition. In contrast, the league form has been patchy. At times, Dortmund struggled for consistency — including games where dominance in possession or chances created failed to translate into results..
This divergence has been a source of frustration for the club. For instance, the loss to FC Augsburg in March, where Dortmund commanded 71.8 % possession yet managed only a single shot on target, was a telling example of under-performance in the league. Conversely, when they have managed to raise their level — such as a strong win over 1. Fsv Mainz 05 — it has shown what is possible when form aligns.
Building momentum from Europe
The hope inside the club is that the momentum and belief garnered in European matches will spill into Bundesliga fixtures. Kovac has emphasised that the key traits demonstrated against European opposition — togetherness, intensity, discipline — are exactly what the team needs every match in Germany. In one weekend, the team might show glimpses of that against a continental opponent, and the objective now is to replicate that against teams where perhaps the mindset, rather than the quality, is the big differentiator.
There is reason for cautious optimism. The turnaround late in the season saw Dortmund win six of their last seven Bundesliga matches, climbing from 11th to secure a Champions League spot. This shows that they have the capacity for domestic form as well — the question is consistency and mindset from week to week.
What needs to improve
For this hope to become sustained reality, Dortmund must address a few key issues:
- Converting dominance into results – High possession and shot-volume count for little if they do not translate into goals or secure points. The Augsburg match illustrates this.
- Maintaining intensity across all fixtures – European nights naturally raise the stakes; replicating that mindset when the opposition may appear less glamorous is a challenge. Kovac has been vocal about treating all matches with the same gravity.
- Avoiding lapses and setbacks – Losses at home or unexpected defeats have undermined momentum. The team needs fewer dips in form if they are to translate European confidence into domestic coherence.
- Leveraging squad depth and rotation wisely – Balancing European and domestic demands requires managing fatigue, injuries and mental focus.
The stakes and the reward
If Dortmund can harness their European momentum and embed it into their Bundesliga campaign, the rewards are significant. Not only would it strengthen their claim to be among Germany’s top clubs but it would restore credibility after seasons where domestic ambitions fell short. For Kovac and his players, the message is clear: European nights are not just a showpiece — they must become the standard for every fixture. Should they manage that, the hope is that this club will no longer oscillate between flashes of brilliance and disappointing domestic form but become a consistent force at home and abroad.
