BVB Boss Niko Kovač Insists Bayern Munich’s Opener Should Have Been Disallowed

Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovač believes Bayern Munich’s opening goal in their 2–1 victory should have been ruled out after Harry Kane appeared to make contact with Serhou Guirassy in the build-up.

The decisive moment came early in the first half when Joshua Kimmich delivered a dangerous corner into the box. Kane gave Guirassy a subtle — though noticeable — nudge to create space before heading the ball into the net to give Bayern a 1–0 lead.

Although the Bavarians eventually claimed a hard-fought win in the latest edition of Der Klassiker, Kovač was adamant that the goal should not have stood.

“There was a brief contact [with Guirassy]. But I have to say one thing: Bastian Dankert whistled today in such a way that he should have whistled that. He blew the whistle on everything, so he should have whistled that too,” Kovač said, as quoted by @iMiaSanMia.

“If he had let the play continue in other situations, then he could have let that go too. But for me, that was a clear mistake because of his decision to whistle everything. He should have disallowed it.”

It was a marginal decision that could have gone either way on another day, but this time the referee allowed the goal to stand, leaving Kovač and his side frustrated.

Bayern made the perfect start but faced increasing pressure as the match progressed. Dortmund pushed hard in the second half, threatening to level the score, but the hosts held on in nervy fashion to secure all three points.

Head coach Vincent Kompany will, however, be concerned by how his side faded late on. Bayern appeared to tire significantly as Dortmund seized momentum, forcing the Bavarians to dig deep to preserve their lead.

While Bayern celebrated a vital win in the Bundesliga title race, Kovač and Dortmund were left ruing what might have been had that opening goal been disallowed.