Niko Kovac slams lack of passion as Dortmund 'deserved to lose' Champions League clash

Europe: Champions League FT 1 - 0 (0 - 0) Bodø/Glimt Dortmund F. Sjøvold ⚽1-0 52 By Cameron Smith @_Camjsmith Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac delivered a damning assessment of his side's performance following Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat to Bodø/Glimt.

Fredrik Sjovold's second-half strike sealed all three points for the Norwegian side, while BVB struggled to impose themselves. Speaking to DAZN after the loss, Kovac admitted that his team had been second-best for much of the encounter.

"We basically weren't in the game until after conceding," he said. "In the first half, we didn't play with the passion, intensity or football that we need in order to win.

It was only after the quadruple substitution that we got into the game better and took control of it somewhat. But up until that point, the opposition were clearly the better team.

We deserved to lose the game." Kovac made several changes to his starting eleven for the trip, but this decision ultimately failed to pay off. Asked whether the players brought into the team had failed to take their opportunity, the Croatian accepted responsibility while his anger was made clear.

"Ultimately, every single player in our squad has the quality to play," he said. I have to say that quite clearly.

"I'm the one responsible for that. I picked the team, but the passion was simply missing today.

They did that much better, and that's why they deservedly took the lead. It was only then that we woke up, but by that point it was too late." The BVB boss was also critical of his side's attacking approach.