Kovac warns Dortmund ahead of Paderborn visit
Niko Kovac has warned his Borussia Dortmund players that there are no easy games in the Bundesliga as they host Paderborn after a midweek win in Europe.
Having opened its UEFA Champions League campaign with an entertaining 3-2 success against Villarreal, Dortmund is now looking to maintain its perfect start to the Bundesliga this weekend.
It has beaten Hamburg 2-0 and Hoffenheim 3-2 in its opening two matches of 2026-2027, with Augsburg, Freiburg and minnow Elversberg being the only other teams with six points.
Kovac insists his team will face a stern test against Paderborn, particularly off the back of its midweek exertions.
"Of course, you drain yourself physically, but also mentally," he said.
"Now it's about regaining mental focus immediately so we can switch gears back to the Bundesliga.
"We're playing at home and want to win – that's our goal. But there are no easy games in the Bundesliga. You have to play them in a way that puts you right in the game from the start.
"That's why I want my lads to come out strong from the first minute and get our fans back behind us as quickly as possible, so we can play successful football."
Dortmund will be without Konstantinos Karetsas after he was forced off against Villarreal with circulatory problems, but Kovac will have two key defenders available.
Nico Schlotterbeck has not featured yet in 2026-2027 after suffering a medial ankle ligament tear while representing Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Ramy Bensebaini has only played once this campaign because of a rib issue.
Asked about the duo's availability, Kovac said: "They're fit, healthy, and ready to play this weekend. I can count on both of them."
Having won promotion back to the Bundesliga last term, Paderborn has one point on the board but is yet to score, drawing 0-0 with Mainz and losing 1-0 to Freiburg so far.
