After securing a much needed three points courtesy of Ilkay Gündogan’s match-winner, Jürgen Klopp’s victory leap reached record heights and the supporters in the stands released a deafening roar. The celebrations after Borussia Dortmund moved off the foot of the Bundesliga table were almost as if they had taken a huge step towards a ninth German Championship. But that collective sigh of relief was followed by a grounded statement from the BVB coach: “I’m exhausted and relieved. We’re deserved winners today, but nothing more.”
Last season’s runners-up still have just 14 points on the board after 14 matchdays, but their 1-0 victory over 1899 Hoffenheim is a small step out of their crisis. “Now we have to try and put a run together up until Christmas,” said Germany international Gündogan, who scored the winner against TSG, his first Bundesliga goal since a 6-1 thumping of SpVgg Greuther Fürth on 13th April 2013.
His header was a deserved reward for Dortmund as they took their relegation battle by the scruff of the neck. “It was a fight. We were 18th in the table. There was no doubt that a few tackles would be flying in,” said veteran Sebastian Kehl, who gave an inspiring speech to his teammates in the dressing room ahead of the match.
“That was a game full of fighting spirit, passion and heart. We put everything into it,” said World Champion Kevin Großkreutz, who was benched alongside three other heroes from Brazil. Even no.1 Roman Weidenfeller had to make way for Australian keeper Mitchell Langerak.
Klopp on Weidenfeller: “Roman can deal with it”
“There’s no blame attached to Roman. It was a gut feeling, just for this game. Roman can deal with it; he is a professional,” explained Klopp, aware that his decision to drop his first-choice keeper has sparked media interest.
Klopp pulled out all the stops and got his reward, but win number four this season for BVB shouldn’t be overvalued. “The most important thing to take away from the game is that we scored a goal and didn’t concede one,” said the 47-year-old, before adding: “We’re not in the best of situations. It would be nice if the goals we scored counted as well.”
Just like in their recent 2-2 draw in Paderborn, BVB had a perfectly good goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang chalked off. His header would have made it 2-0, but the flag incorrectly went up for offside. “Hoffenheim could have had a penalty too, but then it would have been 2-1,” said Klopp, who as usual went to thank the home fans after the final whistle.
Gündogan: “It was a lot of fun”
“I’m happy and proud that the club as a whole showed its true colours today, whether with our performance on the pitch or the support from the fans in the stadium,” said Gündogan. The 24-year-old put in a fine display throughout the game and he got the winning goal to boot.
“It was a lot of fun. It was also another step in the right direction for me,” said Gündogan, who enjoyed the applause of the supporters when substituted shortly before full time. The question arose about whether he would be rested for BVB’s final Champions League group game against RSC Anderlecht on Tuesday (20:45 CET). “I don’t know that the manager has in mind,” answered the midfield maestro.
And despite being left frustrated by the referee’s decision not to give a late penalty, Hoffenheim boss Markus Gisdol was happy for Dortmund and their win. “As nice as a point would have been, I won’t begrudge them the three points because I can imagine what they’ve been through.”
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After securing a much needed three points courtesy of Ilkay Gündogan’s match-winner, Jürgen Klopp’s victory leap reached record heights and the supporters in the stands released a deafening roar. The celebrations after Borussia Dortmund moved off the foot of the Bundesliga table were almost as if they had taken a huge step towards a ninth German Championship. But that collective sigh of relief was followed by a grounded statement from the BVB coach: “I’m exhausted and relieved. We’re deserved winners today, but nothing more.”
Last season’s runners-up still have just 14 points on the board after 14 matchdays, but their 1-0 victory over 1899 Hoffenheim is a small step out of their crisis. “Now we have to try and put a run together up until Christmas,” said Germany international Gündogan, who scored the winner against TSG, his first Bundesliga goal since a 6-1 thumping of SpVgg Greuther Fürth on 13th April 2013.
His header was a deserved reward for Dortmund as they took their relegation battle by the scruff of the neck. “It was a fight. We were 18th in the table. There was no doubt that a few tackles would be flying in,” said veteran Sebastian Kehl, who gave an inspiring speech to his teammates in the dressing room ahead of the match.
“That was a game full of fighting spirit, passion and heart. We put everything into it,” said World Champion Kevin Großkreutz, who was benched alongside three other heroes from Brazil. Even no.1 Roman Weidenfeller had to make way for Australian keeper Mitchell Langerak.
Klopp on Weidenfeller: “Roman can deal with it”
“There’s no blame attached to Roman. It was a gut feeling, just for this game. Roman can deal with it; he is a professional,” explained Klopp, aware that his decision to drop his first-choice keeper has sparked media interest.
Klopp pulled out all the stops and got his reward, but win number four this season for BVB shouldn’t be overvalued. “The most important thing to take away from the game is that we scored a goal and didn’t concede one,” said the 47-year-old, before adding: “We’re not in the best of situations. It would be nice if the goals we scored counted as well.”
Just like in their recent 2-2 draw in Paderborn, BVB had a perfectly good goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang chalked off. His header would have made it 2-0, but the flag incorrectly went up for offside. “Hoffenheim could have had a penalty too, but then it would have been 2-1,” said Klopp, who as usual went to thank the home fans after the final whistle.
Gündogan: “It was a lot of fun”
“I’m happy and proud that the club as a whole showed its true colours today, whether with our performance on the pitch or the support from the fans in the stadium,” said Gündogan. The 24-year-old put in a fine display throughout the game and he got the winning goal to boot.
“It was a lot of fun. It was also another step in the right direction for me,” said Gündogan, who enjoyed the applause of the supporters when substituted shortly before full time. The question arose about whether he would be rested for BVB’s final Champions League group game against RSC Anderlecht on Tuesday (20:45 CET). “I don’t know that the manager has in mind,” answered the midfield maestro.
And despite being left frustrated by the referee’s decision not to give a late penalty, Hoffenheim boss Markus Gisdol was happy for Dortmund and their win. “As nice as a point would have been, I won’t begrudge them the three points because I can imagine what they’ve been through.”
