Kovac: Dortmund must push to the limit to defeat Union Berlin

Niko Kovac has actually prompted his Borussia Dortmund side to “push ourselves to the limit” in order to beat Union Berlin.

Dortmund are 2nd in the Bundesliga, behind Freiburg on objective distinction, however saw their best start pertained to an end last time out versus Werder Bremen.

In spite of leading 2-0 as late as the 87th minute, Dortmund collapsed to a 2-2 draw at Signal Iduna Park.

Their momentum likewise stalled throughout the week after they lost 1-0 to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League.

Dortmund have 13 points from their opening 5 matches, the specific very same tally they had at this phase of the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, which was Kovac’s very first complete project in charge.

Prior to Kovac’s consultation, Dortmund had actually begun a Bundesliga season with a minimum of 13 points from 5 video games just 3 times, and no other supervisor has actually attained such a start two times.

In spite of their strong start to the season, Kovac watches out for the hazard positioned by upcoming challengers Union.

“We want to take three points there. But we know how difficult it is there,” stated Kovac.

“Last season we won 3-0, however it was still a difficult fight right approximately the last 2nd. I anticipate the very same.

“In their last video game versus Elversberg, they went back to the level of strength and aggressiveness they’ve displayed in current years. It’s going to be extreme!

“We’ll need to press ourselves to the limitation and win the fights they require upon us. If you believe you can simply go there and coast through the video game, it’ll be difficult.

“Many teams have already learned that the hard way.”

Let’s get better. https://t.co/BDUxqJ4GAm

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow)October 16, 2026

Union are 16th after 5 video games, however got their very first win of the season on the board last time out versus Elversberg (1-0).

GAMERS TO WATCH

Union Berlin– Livan Burcu

Livan Burcu has actually taped the most overall take-ons (14) and effective take-ons (9) for the club in the Bundesliga this season, regardless of playing less than half (215) of the 450 possible minutes.

Versus Elversberg, he scored the winner in simply 32 minutes of play and signed up a joint-team-high 3 shots, level with Andras Schafer.

Borussia Dortmund– Nico Schlotterbeck

Nico Schlotterbeck has actually scored 6 Bundesliga objectives given that the start of last season, more than any other present centre-back in the competitors because duration.

Schlotterbeck likewise scored in the last conference in between Union and Dortmund in January 2026.

MATCH PREDICTION: BORUSSIA DORTMUND WIN

Dortmund have actually won their very first 2 away matches of this Bundesliga season; just two times have they began a project with a longer gaining streak on the roadway: 2000-01 (very first 3) and 2010-11 (very first 8).

Returning to last season, Dortmund have actually won 3 successive Bundesliga away video games for the very first time under Kovac.

Union have actually lost each of their last 3 Bundesliga matches versus Dortmund by an aggregate rating of 12-0; this is the very first time the club have actually suffered 3 successive top-flight beats versus a single challenger without scoring.

Union have actually made all 4 of their points in the 2026-27 Bundesliga season in home matches.

They have actually scored 4 of their 5 Bundesliga objectives from set-pieces, the greatest percentage in the league (80%). Dortmund have actually scored just one of their 11 league objectives from a set-piece (9%), with only RB Leipzig having a lower share (7%).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Union Berlin– 20.8%

Draw– 22.1%

Borussia Dortmund– 57.1%