Niko Kovač's clear message before the Betis clash: 'There is no option but to win'

Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač stressed that victory is the only target ahead of their Champions League meeting with Real Betis.

Dortmund have made a strong start to the Champions League, collecting 6 points from their first three matches (2 wins, 1 defeat). The German side beat Villarreal and Sabah, with a 1-0 loss to Bodø/Glimt coming in between those two games.

The Black and Yellows head into the Betis fixture with a morale boost after rescuing a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in last weekend's Der Klassiker in the Bundesliga, thanks to a late goal from Fábio Silva.

Although the two clubs will be meeting for the first time in their history, Dortmund have won each of their last four Champions League matches against Spanish opposition.

Speaking ahead of the game, Kovač said: "As long as the team shows the same reaction it showed this weekend, it makes no difference at all whether we play with a back three or a back four. Determination, passion, intensity: those are the qualities we need. On Wednesday there is only one direction: we want to win this game! Especially in our own stadium, in front of our supporters, we have to impose our style of play."

The visitors, Real Betis, are one of five teams still unbeaten in this season's Champions League, having won all three of their matches. However, Dortmund have lost only twice in their last 24 Champions League games at home (15 wins, 7 draws), scoring 52 goals and conceding just 18 over that run.

With Dortmund set to play their eighth match in the last three weeks, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel said he trusts the team's physical condition despite the congested schedule: "From what I see of the team and how I feel myself, we are all at an extremely high athletic level. We feel good and we are ready to take the field every few days and compete at the highest level." Asked whether the draw against Bayern had provided an extra boost of confidence, Kobel replied: "We already knew what we are capable of."