Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac was pleased with the level of control his team showed in their 0-0 draw at home to Sporting in the Champions League play-off knockout round.
That result helped see the German side through to the round of 16, where they will face either Aston Villa or Lille, following a 3-0 away win in the first leg.
While the match itself had no goals, with Serhou Guirassy seeing a penalty saved, Kovac was a happy man to see his side keep only their second clean sheet in 16 matches in all competitions.
“We controlled the game and didn't concede anything over 90 minutes. The bottom line is that we've progressed. The team played with great concentration today," he said.
"We didn't concede anything, were very good defensively and were able to create momentum going forward in the second half.
"At the moment, we lack the gallantry to capitalise on the chances we have in the box. You have to give the lads a good talking to."
𝐁 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝟎-𝟎 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐏 (𝟑-𝟎 𝐚𝐠𝐠)
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) February 19, 2025
An unlikely task was made less likely when Sporting left Viktor Gyökeres at home, and so it proved.
Serhou Guirassy saw a penalty saved, but Dortmund go through to the last 16 of the Champions League.#BVBSCP #UCL pic.twitter.com/oVEBwR9nbo
Dortmund have come under intense pressure during the 2024-25 season for massively underperforming expectation, and they are currently 11th in the Bundesliga, eight points behind the top four.
Their poor performance ultimately led to previous head coach Nuri Sahin losing his job last month.
Kovac, though, spoke about how he has tried to raise standards in the aftermath of Sahin, explaining that his players are objectively talented enough to reach the expectations set out.
“We all know that they can play football, we also know that the head plays a big role," he said.
"If you don't get the results and finish 11th in the Bundesliga, there's always going to be criticism. The lads can't just shake that off.
“But we try to show them the things they do really well. I'm very confident that the lads will gain even more self-confidence in the next few games through good results.
“I believe in it and as a coach I have to believe in it too. That's why we'll go through everything that lies ahead together," Kovač said.