Dortmund must close league gap: Klopp
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has said his side must win at Hanover on Sunday or risk being left behind in the Bundesliga as they struggle to defend their German league title.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: September 17, 2011 06:13 PM IST
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has said his side must win at Hanover on Sunday or risk being left behind in the Bundesliga as they struggle to defend their German league title.
Dortmund have picked up just seven points from their first five league games this season and were shocked 2-1 at home to Hertha Berlin last weekend having also lost at Hoffenheim on August 13.
With Bavarian giants Bayern Munich setting the early pace in the German league, Klopp says his team must win at Hanover with the champions 11th in the table before Saturday's matches.
"Because we lost to Berlin, the gap is starting to grow and we are lagging behind by two or three points," Klopp told German daily Bild.
"We need to correct this in the coming weeks."
"The distance should not be allowed to become too big."
Germany midfielder Mario Goetze will miss Sunday's game as he completes a two-match ban after being sent off against Leverkusen at the end of August.
Fellow midfielder Sven Bender is also missing with injury and Klopp says injuries and suspensions have taken their toll and prevented him from fielding a settled side.
"It is a special situation," he said.
"On the one hand, we have only seven points, which doesn't feel so great."
"On the other hand, we have had to change almost our entire midfield."
Dortmund drew 1-1 at home to Arsenal on Tuesday in their opening Champions League match.