UCL: Niko Kovac labels Dortmund underdogs ahead of Barcelona clash

Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has labelled his team as underdogs ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona on Wednesday, Afrosport reports.

The Yellow-Blacks got the better of Sporting Lisbon in the knockout playoffs and edged past Lille in the rouge of 16. The Blaugrana meanwhile beat Benfica in the previous round.

Wednesday’s clash will see Kovac reunite with Barca boss Hansi Flick under whom he was an assistant during the German’s time at Bayern Munich.

“I believe Barcelona are surely the favourites. However, Borussia Dortmund played the final last year, nobody was expecting that but in football everything is possible,” Kovac said.

“We are playing the quarter-finals, this is elite football. We worked hard to get here. We come in as underdogs, but we won’t make things easy for our opponents. We believe in ourselves, we are growing, and we have a real chance to reach the semi-final.”

The Croatian tactician added: “We are aware of the quality Barcelona attackers have. We will defend well with a lot of discipline in defence as Barca have their strengths when attacking. We have prepared well game after game.

“We know Barca have their points of strength, but we must take advantage of their weaknesses. It is also about convincing the players to give their best. We want to win this game.”