“The team played with great discipline and organisation”

Nioo Kovač was more than content with his afternoon’s work as BVB defeated Mainz 2-0.

Borussia Dortmund have struggled against Mainz at the Mewa Arena in recent seasons, but Saturday’s 2-0 win was utterly dominant. 

The Westphalian club’s head coach Niko Kovač felt the game panned out exactly as they had planned before kick-off. 

“It turned out exactly as we wanted: we wanted to get the win here in Mainz. The team played with great discipline and organisation throughout the 90 minutes.

“We scored at the right moments and had a bit of luck with their shot that hit the post, which then led to our first goal.

“Today, I saw a team that finished the game the way you have to do away from home. We didn’t let them have anything – or at least very little.

“So I’m very happy and proud of the lads for getting their just rewards for this performance,” the 53-year-old added. 

Kovač was first to dismiss any murmurings of a title charge, instead keeping the squad’s feet and heads firmly fixed to the ground in terms of expectations.

“We’re really only focused on ourselves and we want to stay where we are. I know that German football fans hope that Bayern won’t run away with the title.

“But first of all, we have to maintain the consistency we are showing at the moment. It’s the fifth matchday of the Bundesliga, not too much has happened yet.

“We are on the right track […] That’s why we are staying focused. We will continue to work hard. We’ve kept a clean sheet for the fourth game in a row,” the coach noted.