Exclusive: Dortmund Legend Predicts Tough Der Klassiker and Barcelona Test but Insists Niko Kovac Needs Time to Build

Ghana legend Ibrahim Tanko has weighed in on his former club, Borussia Dortmund's uninspiring 2024/25 season. 

He insists that it's a young squad that needs time to gel, predicts a difficult Der Klassiker against Bayern Munich on Saturday and a challenging reverse fixture against Barcelona at Signal Iduna Park in the second leg of the Champions League, and begs for time for Manager Niko Kovac.

For Borussia Dortmund's three-time German Bundesliga and 1996-97 UEFA Champions League-winning star, Ibrahim Tanko, this season has been a daunting challenge, marked by a significant shift in performances and the struggles of Niko Kovac's team. 

Frankly, it's been an emotional rollercoaster for die-hard Dortmund fans, as a string of inconsistent results has kept the black and yellow flags subdued, particularly away from Signal Iduna Park. 

The team's away form has been a major concern, with just 14 points earned from a possible 42 on the road, leaving them currently eighth in the Bundesliga. Dortmund's away form rating is currently tied with Union Berlin's, separated only by goal difference, highlighting the need for improvement.

QUALITY SQUAD, BUT NEEDS TIME

There's no doubt the depth of Borussia Dortmund's squad, despite its relatively young age. However, the team's campaign has been marred by a lack of clinical finishing in front of goal and a worrying defensive vulnerability, with 43 conceded goals – only nine more than their tally of scored goals (52). 

Tanko acknowledges that it's a "tough" period for the eight-time German champions, emphasizing the need for time to develop into a formidable force domestically and in Europe. He also stresses the importance of blending quality with experience, citing concerns about the team's limited positional depth on the bench.

"We have a very young team, and if they're kept together for three or more seasons, they might stand a chance to compete for the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and European titles – that's my belief," Tanko shared with SportsBoom.com

"We must be honest with ourselves; success doesn't happen in a vacuum. I see willingness from the squad, but football can be unpredictable."

Tanko praised players like Serhou Guirassy, Jamie Gittens, and Maximilian Beier for their efforts, but noted that goal-scoring needs to be complemented by other aspects of the game, which is currently the team's weak point.

"We can't change this season, but I think the future looks promising," he added.

The Medeama SC head coach also attributed the team's decline in performance to injuries, acknowledging that "it's part of the game."

DER KLASSIKER TEST

Unlike the past eight seasons, Bayern Munich and Dortmund are heading into Saturday's Der Klassiker at the 75,024-capacity Allianz Arena without the pressure of a league title looming over them. 

With 26 points, Dortmund trails behind their arch-rivals, making this match more about bragging rights than title contention. However, Tanko believes his former club still poses a significant threat to the Bavarian giants. 

He warns Bayern Munich not to underestimate Dortmund, as the German Bundesliga title race between themselves and Bayer Leverkusen remains far from over.

"I think Bayern Munich is more desperate for the three points at the moment," Tanko explained. "They have a title ambition on the horizon, and they'll come out hungry. That's where we can take advantage and deal with them."

While acknowledging that Dortmund may be out of form compared to Bayern, Tanko emphasises that rivalry matches often defy form. 

"Anyone can win," he said. "I wish my club, Dortmund, could win to appease the fans, but my heart tells Bayern Munich to put on a show."

Dortmund's recent domestic performances have been promising, with the team remaining unbeaten in their last two matches against Freiburg and Mainz. 

They've scored a total of seven goals and conceded only two, which could provide the necessary momentum as they travel to Munich. However, Dortmund's defense must be cautious of Bayern's key players, including Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, and Michael Olise.

DIFFICULT TASK AT THE SIGNAL IDUNA PARK

Unfortunately, Dortmund's only consolation lies in their 1996-97 Champions League triumph. The 28-year wait for another title has been marred by a 4-0 drubbing at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. 

The Dortmund players' attitude was a major disappointment in Spain, allowing Barcelona to dominate and lead to their demolition.

Given Barcelona's European pedigree, it would be a miracle if Niko Kovac's men qualify for the semis. 

"We've done well to reach this stage of the competition," said the 1997 UCL winner. " And, I insist that the squad needs time to understand the philosophy and playing style of the coach. I think the boys should be proud of themselves, regardless of what happens on Tuesday night at Signal Iduna Park."

"Barcelona is beatable; we've seen teams like Real Madrid and Liverpool do it in Europe," he added. "However, we must be frank about our squad depth. This is where we might need the experience of Emre Can, Serhou Guirassy, Niklas Sule, Kobel Gregor, and the rest of the guys."

The former Black Stars playmaker also acknowledged the impact of injuries on the team. 

"It's unfortunate we've lost most of our big guys to injury, but we can't complain. We can only stay focused and hope for the best."

Meanwhile, treble-chasing coach Hansi Flick and his men will aim to continue their goal-scoring form, which they started in Spain against struggling German giants.

NIKO KOVAC NEEDS TIME

Former Dortmund star Nuri Sahin's tenure ended in January 2025, following a string of inconsistent results. Now, 53-year-old, Kovac faces a similar fate, with Dortmund languishing in eighth place with 41 points, a situation that could change after Der Klassiker.

With experience managing top-tier teams like Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, and Wolfsburg, expectations were high for the Croatian coach. However, his start has been rocky. 

"Niko just joined, and we can't keep changing managers constantly. It affects the team, despite our quality. We need results, but it's a project that requires understanding."

"Almost all positions require extra players, given the increasing frequency of matches," he explained. "We have the Champions League, German Cup, and Bundesliga, plus national team assignments and international tournaments. We need more than two players per position to cope."

Kovac's emotional return to the Allianz Arena will be overshadowed by the daunting task of overturning a 4-0 deficit against Barcelona at Signal Iduna Park. A positive outcome against Bayern Munich and Barcelona could revive the Black-Yellows' Champions League ambitions.