{
  "id": 14251913,
  "title": "Dortmund's Kovac praises Bodø, artificial pitch no excuse",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/dortmunds-kovac-praises-bod-artificial-pitch-no-excuse",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-13T17:18:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dortmunds-kovac-praises-bod-artificial-171829836.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Borussia Dortmund's coach Niko Kovac has dismissed artificial pitch conditions as an excuse ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Bodø/Glimt on Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference in Norway, Kovac emphasized that the Norwegian side should not be underestimated and that playing on an artificial surface is no excuse for Dortmund. Last season, Bodø achieved a 2-2 draw against Dortmund, including victories over Manchester City and Inter Milan in their surprise run to the last 16. This season, Bodø started with a 5-0 defeat against Bayern Munich before facing German opposition in Dortmund, who defeated Villarreal 3-2 in their league opener. Kovac's comments come after he named the Norwegian team as a formidable opponent, stating that they are doing \"a really good job here.\" Despite the challenge, Dortmund's full back Julian Ryerson acknowledged the difference between playing on grass and artificial turf, but insisted that it should not be exaggerated. Dortmund will be without German international defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who is not 100% fit and decided not to join the team in Norway.",
  "summary": "Borussia Dortmund will not underestimate Bodø/Glimt and playing the Champions League match on Wednesday on a artificial pitch in Norway is also no excuse, coach Niko Kovac has said. Bodø played to a 2-2 draw in Dortmund last season when they beat the likes of Manchester City and Inter Milan at home in their surprise run to the last 16.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}