By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Dortmund coach Niko Kovac needed a boost of energy after stepping down from the interview podium, having excused his players.
With most of Dortmund's squad disappearing without speaking to fans or the media, the 53-year-old went straight to the press buffet, grabbing a currywurst - a nationwide favorite for a quick snack.
"They need to recover and do the advised steps such as to fill up energy with appropriate nutrition," the Dortmund coach said after the disastrous 2-0 defeat to league-bottom Bochum.
"I am here, that should be enough," he added.
Shielding his team from criticism seemed to be Kovac's emergency response after suffering his second league defeat, leaving the struggling club in further turmoil.
Instead of the expected turnaround, Dortmund suffered its fifth league defeat following a UEFA Champions League match.
Ironically, things have been going well in the Champions League, with Dortmund winning the first leg of their playoff tie against Sporting 3-0. But with the second leg coming up next Wednesday at home, their European success has failed to translate into domestic stability, raising alarm bells.
With just 29 points from 22 league games, fears of missing out on next season's Champions League are growing. The gap to a top-four spot has widened to eight points with only 12 games left.
Dortmund's league struggles mark their worst record in a decade, and Kovac is only the second coach in 41 years to lose his first two Bundesliga matches.
Defender Nico Schlotterbeck warned of a "horror season" ahead if a turnaround isn't achieved, with the team already burdened by nine league defeats.
Both Schlotterbeck and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel - who were obligated to speak due to broadcast agreements - expressed frustration, saying the squad had failed to implement their coach's instructions.
Meanwhile, club leaders such as sporting director Sebastian Kehl and CEO Lars Ricken left without speaking to the media.
Dortmund's lack of leadership remains a glaring issue, as key figures like captain Emre Can, midfielders Julian Brandt and Marcel Sabitzer, and winger Karim Adeyemi have failed to step up or rally the team.
"They don't need a coach, they need a magician," former Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder and TV pundit Didi Hamann concluded.
The stark contrast between Dortmund's Champions League form and Bundesliga struggles remains a mystery, heightening concerns about missing out on vital revenue next season.
"The only consistency is the team's inconsistency," TV pundit Stefan Effenberg said. "The Champions League can't be the most pressing task anymore."
While potential last-16 opponents Aston Villa or Lille await in Europe, Dortmund's squad remains incomplete, and Kovac is now the club's 10th coach since 2015 and the departure of Jurgen Klopp.
Although financial compensation could come from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Dortmund's reputation as a leading force in German football remains at risk. ■
