'Anxious' Niko Kovac told he 'doesn't understand the complexity of football' as ex-Borussia Dortmund star slams coach over Bayern Munich defeat

Borussia Dortmund’s performance, particularly in a first half where they failed to register a single shot on goal, drew heavy criticism, with Lehmann directly linking the poor display to Kovac’s setup. The former Arsenal keeper did not hold back, suggesting the coach’s own fear was projected onto the team’s formation.

"That's exactly the right word: anxious," Lehmann stated on Welt TV. "Anyone who plays in that formation doesn't really understand the complexity of football. It's no wonder, of course, that you can't get much forward in that formation against Bayern Munich." 

Lehmann’s frustration with the prevalence of the five-man backline was clear, as he questioned the coaching principles behind it. "This five-man defence is so widely used these days. It makes me think: Where did those who play like that learn football?" he added. “If I, as a coach, am afraid myself and choose a fearful formation where I always have the risk on the last line, what can I expect?”

The match statistics from the Saturday evening clash validate Lehmann’s critique of Dortmund’s lack of attacking intent. Kovac's side were thoroughly outplayed before the interval, ultimately finishing the game with just 39% possession and only one shot on target from their eight attempts in total. Bayern, in contrast, were dominant, controlling the tempo and firing off 15 shots, seven of which tested the goalkeeper.

Bayern took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute through Harry Kane before a costly error from Jobe Bellingham allowed Michael Olise to double the advantage in the 78th minute. Julian Brandt pulled a goal back for the visitors with six minutes of normal time remaining, but it proved to be merely a consolation as Bayern saw out the victory to maintain their perfect start to the season.

While 20-year-old midfielder Bellingham came under fire for the mistake that led to Bayern's decisive second goal, Lehmann redirected the blame towards the team's defensive structure and positioning. The former keeper defended the young Englishman, pointing out the failure of others to cover the danger.

"You have to give him credit for standing on the goal line as a defensive midfielder. Where were the other defenders?" Lehmann questioned. "It was a very heavy ball that bounced onto his foot. I don't think you can really blame him for that."

The defeat, Dortmund’s first of the Bundesliga campaign, leaves them in fourth place and deals a significant blow to their title aspirations. They now sit seven points adrift of league leaders Bayern Munich, who have won all seven of their opening fixtures. With such a considerable gap already established, Lehmann believes the championship race may already be a foregone conclusion, suggesting BVB "can therefore probably forget about the championship."

Dortmund must now regroup ahead of a crucial period. They travel to Parken to face Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday before returning to domestic action with a home fixture against Koln. Kovac will be under immense pressure to abandon his perceived "fearful" approach and find a way to close the gap on their Bavarian rivals before it becomes insurmountable.