Borussia Dortmund boss Niko Kovac has warned his side to brace for a “dynamic and modern” Inter Milan when the two European heavyweights meet in a decisive Champions League showdown on Wednesday, insisting the Italians have improved under rookie coach Cristian Chivu.
The Serie A leaders, already five points clear domestically, travel to Signal Iduna Park with both sides battling to secure a coveted direct berth in the last 16 and skip the risky playoff round. Kovac, whose Dortmund side sit a point behind Inter in the League Phase, was effusive in his praise for Chivu’s tactical evolution of last season’s finalists.
“In the past they’ve been dominant in possession, but now they’ve adapted and added a very quick transition game. We need to be aware of this,” Kovac cautioned in his pre match briefing. “Usually you say the Italians are playing it into the feet, they’re technical but a little bit slower, but at the moment this is a very dynamic and modern Inter.”
The Croatian manager highlighted the cohesion within a squad that has largely stayed together. “You can see that they’ve been together for a few years and everyone knows what their teammate is doing,” he noted, referencing Inter’s runs to the final in both 2023 and 2025.
Dortmund’s task is made harder by the absence of key defenders Niklas Süle and Marcel Sabitzer through injury, while Chelsea’s recall of loanee Aaron Anselmino has further depleted their options.
Inter boss Chivu confirmed a blow of his own, with midfield talisman Nicolò Barella ruled out due to a muscle strain. “He’ll undergo tests, but we hope it’s just fatigue,” said the Romanian. However, he delivered positive news on star striker Lautaro Martinez, stating: “Lautaro never wants to rest, and we never want to do without our players.”
Despite a strong start to their European campaign with four straight wins, Inter have stumbled recently against the continent’s elite, losing their last three to Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Chivu, however, remains bullish about his side’s progress. “Everyone’s been working to raise the bar since I arrived,” he said. “We’ve always had great reactions.”
The match promises high stakes and higher intensity. A win for Inter would secure a top eight finish, while Dortmund likely need victory and favourable results elsewhere to join them. For Kovac, containing Chivu’s reinvented, transitional Inter will be the ultimate test of their own Champions League credentials.
