Klopp : Bayern are the best team in the world

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Bayern Munich are still the world’s best side - despite their Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid.

The Bavarians, who beat BVB in last year's final at Wembley, failed in their bid to retain the trophy, losing 5-0 on aggregate to Los Blancos, after a crushing 4-0 second-leg defeat at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night.

Klopp argued that although the Madrid proved that Bayern are beatable, Pep Guardiola's men remain the No.1 side on the planet.

"Bayern didn't defend set-pieces well enough versus Real Madrid,” he told reporters on Thursday. “For me, they're still the world's best team, but they can be beaten."

Klopp also paid homage to Robert Lewandowski, with the Poland international set to play his last three games for Dortmund before he joins Bayern at the end of his contract this summer.

Klopp added: “Lewandowski has been a brilliant striker for us and it's been a great time. I hope he gives it everything in his last three matches."

Dortmund face Hoffenheim in their last home game of the season on Saturday before travelling to Berlin for their final Bundesliga fixture and the DFB Pokal final against Bayern Munich, both of which will be played at the Olympiastadion.

Klopp, though, is refusing to look beyond this weekend's assignment.

"It's our last home game of the season before we go to Berlin twice and we want to enjoy it in the right way,” the 45-year-old explained.

“Roberto Firmino is in the form of his life, as is Kevin Volland. We will have to defend well and we will get our chances.

"Marcel Schmelzer will be back and hopefully Erik Durm.”

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Kagawa linked with Borussia Dortmund return

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has told Kicker that Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa would be welcomed back at the club with 'open arms'.

Kagawa left Dortmund for Old Trafford two years ago and he has scored six goals in 54 appearances for United.

However, he has started just 12 Premier League games this season amid suggestions United have struggled to get the best out of the Japan international.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a return to Dortmund and Hummels would not complain if Kagawa was re-signed by the Bundesliga club.

"We would take him with open arms, of course," he told Kicker.

"Having an offensive line with [Marco] Reus, [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan and Kagawa would certainly be stylish.

"But I would not say anything about the other great players we have playing for us. The attacking midfield is probably the best part of our team without Shinji."

Hummels is also not concerned by the impact any possible big-money signings this summer will have on the morale of Jurgen Klopp's squad.

He added: "I cannot imagine that it would be a big issue with us. In our team we are not only out for success.

"At the end of the day, everyone is responsible for their own contracts. Nobody forced us to sign them. We want to play good football.

"If we had a star attacker who earned more money than us, no one would feel bad about it."

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Toni Kroos open to move from Bayern Munich to Premier League

Toni Kroos, the Bayern Munich midfielder coveted by Manchester United, has indicated an interest in playing in the Premier League but his head coach, Pep Guardiola, wants to keep him “for many seasons”.

Kroos’ contract expires at the end of the 2014-15 season and he wants a lucrative new deal at the Allianz Arena, bringing him on a par with the club’s big earners such as Franck Ribéry on a reported £170,000.

Bayern’s sporting director, Matthias Sammer, has spoken of the club’s determination that Kroos “will stay beyond the expiry of his current deal”.

Interest from United has inevitably strengthened Kroos’s bargaining position. The 24-year-old is doing little to quell speculation.

“It is no secret that the Premier League is a possibility for me,” Kroos said, ahead of Bayern’s Champions League game with Arsenal on Tuesday night.

“Yes, I have heard about these rumours. A lot has been written about it [in England] and the German media like to take over this story also.

"I am a person where a lot is possible for me. No decision has been made about this yet. No one has come to any agreement about this and that will stay like this until the summer.”

Asked by the former Middlesbrough striker Jan Aage Fjortoft, who now works for Norwegian TV, whether he would “consider a move to a team that’s not in the Champions League” (like United next season), Kroos replied: “I will consider everything – if I should leave.”

The smart euros remain on Kroos staying at the record-breaking German and European champions, particularly after Guardiola outlined to the player how he could develop further at Bayern.

“I said to him you have time to become an even better player,” Guardiola said. “I hope he maintains this level of form – and for the next few seasons at this club.

“Toni is a young player, a great talent. He has time to improve, to gain better his skills. I spoke with him and said you have time to become a better player.

"He was very important in my first year here, in the first part of the season when [Mario] Götze , [Javi] Martínez and Thiago [Alcantara] were injured, so we had few midfielders. Kroos with his huge personality, was very important.”

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Agent : Arsenal made Montolivo enquiry

Arsenal made an enquiry into the availability of AC Milan midfielder Riccardo Montolivio, according to the player's agent, but it would be "very difficult" for the Italy international to leave San Siro.

The Gunners were in the market for midfield cover during the January transfer window, with Kim Kallstrom drafted in from Spartak Moscow after Aaron Ramsey's recovery stalled – though the Swede has yet to play for the north Londoners due to a back injury.

One player that caught Arsene Wenger's eye was Montolivo, says the Italian's representative Giovanni Branchini – though he insists the 29-year-old, also subject to interest from Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, is keen to stay at Milan.

"Milan have had a difficult season so far and I think I can say that Riccardo Montolivo has been one of the brightest notes," Branchini told Calciomercato.

"He became a fixture of the Rossoneri and was even given the captain's armband as proof. He is very happy with the club to which he belongs, and the club and fans are very satisfied with him.

"An extension? He has a contract until June 2016, so it is not a priority to talk about an extension at this time. That's a discussion we'll have, I think, next year.

"Has there been interest from other clubs? There have been tentative enquiries from Atletico Madrid, [Dortmund boss Jurgen] Klopp and Arsenal, to name a few.

"All were trying to ascertain whether the 'path' to Montolivo was feasible. At the moment, however, I feel it would be very difficult for the player to leave Milan, precisely because of what I said before."

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Robben: Wenger is a bad loser

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has accused Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger of being a bad loser.

The Dutch attacker remains upset that the French coach alleged that he had dived to win the penalty that resulted in Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny being dismissed in the first half of the Bavarians' Champions League victory at the Emirates last month.

Indeed, Robben has not only denied that he was guilty of playacting, he has also claimed that he was lucky to have avoided "serious injury".

"Shivers went down my spine when I saw footage of the foul again. Things could have gone horribly wrong. I have been quite lucky," the former Chelsea winger told De Telegraaf.

"Wenger's comments are typical for a losing coach. I don't care much about it, because it's not the first time he acts like this.

"It was a pretty scary moment for me. I picked up a serious injury in December after a similar foul from Augsburg's goalkeeper."

The second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie between Bayern and Arsenal is scheduled to take place at the Allianz Arena on March 12.

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Klopp: Reus ready to return for Dortmund

Jurgen Klopp expects Marco Reus to return when in-form Borussia Dortmund travel to Bundesliga strugglers Hamburg on Saturday.

The Germany international has missed BVB's last two games after tearing a thigh muscle in the 5-1 hammering of Werder Bremen earlier this month, but is now poised to make his comeback.

"Marco Reus was able to give 100 per cent in training and looked good," Klopp told reporters. "He should be fit to play."

Dortmund travel to the Imtech Arena having won four matches in a row - a stark comparison to the seven successive defeats Bert van Marwijk's men had before his sacking last weekend - but the Schwarzgelben boss expects Hamburg to be rejuvenated under new coach Mirko Slomka.

"We can't go to Hamburg with our new-found confidence expecting to face a weak opponent," Klopp continued.

"We'll have to see how they set themselves up, but ultimately we've got perform to our capabilities.

"We need to work hard. We can't underestimate Hamburg. They've got a fresh start under Mirko Slomka It's not the first time a team has changed coaches right before facing us.

"Slomka has spent time with his squad and if they buy into him then it'll be like a fresh start. The relegation battle has started for some sides. So I'm expecting a fight in Hamburg.

"Hamburg will have a special atmosphere, they will celebrate every tackle. Hamburg don't need any sympathy from us, but they won't get any from us either."

Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan remain among the Signal Iduna Park stars sidelined for the Hamburg clash.

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Muller: I've no reason to join Real Madrid

Thomas Muller has made it clear that he sees no reason to leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid amid reports linking him with a move to the Spanish giants.

The Santiago Bernabeu side are rumoured to be considering a swoop for the 24-year-old at the end of the season, but while Muller admits it can be flattering to hear of interest from foreign sides, he maintains he is happy with life at the Allianz Arena.

"Real Madrid? There has been a lot of speculation about my future in the past few weeks, months and even years. We have all seen what has come from those rumours so far," Muller told AZ.

"It's not a bad feeling when you hear about interest from abroad.

"However, at the moment there is absolutely no reason for me to leave Bayern Munich for another club."

Muller has been in sublime form for the Bundesliga leaders so far this season, scoring seven goals in 16 league appearances.

The versatile attacker has a contract with Bayern until the summer of 2017.

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Klopp: Real Madrid would have no chance against Bayern Munich

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp says that Real Madrid would have "no chance" of beating Bayern Munich if the pair clash in this season's Champions League.

The 46-year-old coach led Die Schwarzgelben to a 4-3 aggregate win over Los Blancos in the semi-finals of last season's Champions League, only to lose 2-1 to their Bavarian rivals in the tournament decider at Wembley.

With Bayern having seemingly gone up another level since Pep Guardiola replaced Jupp Heynckes at the helm during the summer, Klopp now feels that Bayern are simply unbeatable.

"Real Madrid would have no chance of competing with Bayern," he is quoted as saying by A Bola. "Bayern are currently unstoppable.

"If the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United have no chance against them, how can Dortmund beat them?"

Klopp, whose Dortmund side are currently 12 points behind Bayern in the Bundesliga having played a game more, added that while Barcelona are capable of beating the Bavarians in a one-off game, even the Catalans would be unable to eliminate them over two legs.

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Schalke admit €45m Arsenal target may leave

Although they are hopeful of keeping him, German side Schalke 04 accept that their star man, Julian Draxler, may leave the club in the summer, with Arsenal ready to swoop.

s04 draxler trikot 628 Schalke admit €45m Arsenal target may leave

Draxler, who is one of the rising stars of German football, and has been followed by a whole host of European big guns for the past couple of years.

Arsenal are perennially linked with a move for the 20-year-old, and now Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt has admitted that they may not be able to hang onto him past the summer.

“We still hope that Julian stays, but there are elements we can’t influence,” Heldt told Bild (via ESPN)

Chelsea had also been strongly linked with a move for the German, as we reported last month, but former Norway striker Jan Aage Fjortoft has put his weight behind Arsenal in the race for the youngster,


Fjortoft was key in breaking the Ozil-Arsenal transfer last summer, and the player-turned-pundit claims that Draxler was impressed during a recent visit to the Arsenal training complex in London.

A versatile attacker, able to play anywhere across the forward line, Draxler is known for his dribbling skills, passing, and range of shooting. He has won 10 caps so far for the German national side, and is tipped to make it onto the plane for the World Cup Finals in Brazil this summer.

While the reported €45m price-tag may well make Arsene Wenger’s eyes water, Draxler has the potential to become one of the very best midfielders in the world, and if he does indeed fancy a move to North London, Wenger should break the bank to secure him.

What do you think? Will Draxler make a move to Arsenal in the summer? Let US know in the comments below…

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£15m Chelsea target could be heading to Germany

German giants Borussia Dortmund are targeting Inter Milan central defender Andrea Ranocchia in the January transfer window.

In December, The Mirror reported that Chelsea are looking to bolster their central defence and are targeting Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia.

The 25-year-old has made 14 appearances this season and has bagged a goal to his name. His stats are pretty impressive as well. With 26 tackles and 25 interceptions already, he has become one of the key players for the Nerazzurri this season.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has three centre-backs – John Terry, Gary Cahill and David Luiz – at his disposal, and although media reports continue to speculate the Brazilian’s future, it seems highly unlikely that Luiz would be allowed to leave in the January transfer window.

According to reports in Italy, German giants Borussia Dortmund are looking to add a quality defender to their ranks and have targeted the £15m rated Italian defender. Dortmund are missing the services of Subotic and Hummels through injuries and therefore are looking for a defender with similar attributes.

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Arsenal & United race French for £37.5m midfielder

Arsenal are favourites to sign Schalke 04 midfielder Julian Draxler but will face competition from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports in France.

Draxler, one of the most highly coveted young talents in Europe, is also believed to have attracted interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

But the influence of Arsenal's German contingent and the club's current standing as
Premier League leaders leaves the Gunners in pole position ahead of their English rivals.
However, PSG also have a long-standing interest in Draxler, having first targeted the player earlier this campaign.

French publication Le 10 Sport reports that Draxler remains a priority as club management weigh up recruitment options in the January transfer window.

Draxler's contract with Schalke is understood to have a buy-out clause of £37.5 million that can be activated at the end of this season.

The 20-year-old has made 14 Bundesliga appearances this term, scoring once and providing five assists.

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Ter Stegen set for Barcelona after rejecting Gladbach offer

Borussia Monchengladbach have announced that goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will leave the club after rejecting a new contract.

The 21-year-old has been widely linked with a move away from the Bundesliga outfit, with Barcelona's vice-president Josep Bartomeu admitting their interest in the shot-stopper in November as they seek a replacement for the outgoing Victor Valdes.

Ter Stegen has a contract at Borussia Park until 2015, but the club have announced that attempts to tie him down by agreeing a new deal have been rejected.

Sporting director Max Eberl said: "Ter Stegen will leave Borussia. Marc has informed us that will not accept our offer of a new contract.

"Marc's decision not to renew does not surprise us. I assume he'll join the club he has been linked to."

Ter Stegen has kept six clean sheets for Gladbach this season, helping them climb to third in the Bundesliga.

And he insists he is still committed to the club despite rejecting the new deal.

"I do not want to comment on the state of play. And I do not want to talk about the 'Why" and the reasons I had in public," he told reports after training on Monday.

"I thought about this for a long time. I always said I would decide during the winter break and that is what I did. I will continue to play full throttle for this club."

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Chelsea want £25m from Wolfsburg for Kevin De Bruyne

Chelsea have told German club Wolfsburg it will cost £25 million to sign out-of-favour Kevin De Bruyne on a permanent deal this month.

That eye-watering figure has not put off Wolfsburg, though, who will try to negotiate Chelsea's asking price down but are ready to spend big on De Bruyne.

Wolfsburg officials are understood to have met Chelsea on Monday to try to thrash out a deal for De Bruyne.

The Belgian midfielder wants to leave Stamford Bridge for good and is attracted by the prospect of returning to Germany, where he spent a successful season on loan at Werder Bremen.

Despite the fact he has largely been left out by manager Jose Mourinho, Chelsea are reluctant to let De Bruyne go permanently as the club still believe the 22 year-old will blossom into a top player.

Spanish club Atletico Madrid are willing to take De Bruyne on loan for the rest of the season, but the player is not keen on another temporary switch.
Wolfsburg are planning more talks with Chelsea and will test their resolve to hold on for £25m by submitting at least one formal bid.

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Dortmund join the race to sign Arsenal and Chelsea target Diego Costa

Athletico have shown resistance to a move, but with Europe's elite lining up the Madrid club's resolve could be tested.

Chelsea are desperate for a potent striker as Samuel Eto'o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba continue to misfire and Arsene Wenger has made it clear he was not in the market for a midfielder, freeing up funds to try and get the Brazilian to the Emirates.

But with Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski due to announce any day that he is leaving Borussia for bitter rivals Bayern Munich at the end of the season they also need to act fast.

And if they miss out on Costa there aren't many top quality strikers available for the £34m release clause listed in the Brazilian's contract.

The Atletico Madrid hierarchy have been talking tough, but if one of the big clubs sniffing around Costa cough up the cash the decision will be take out of their hands.

Radamel Falcao's transfer from Atletico to Monaco last season seems to have given Costa a new lease of life and he has moved out of the shadows of the bustling Colombian, scoring 23 goals in 20 appearances this term.

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Neuer: Ter Stegen is a sensational goalkeeper

Germany international Manuel Neuer believes Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has a bright future ahead of him amid ongoing rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona.

The Blaugrana have earmarked the 21-year-old as a potential replacement for current first choice goalkeeper Victor Valdes, whose contract expires at the end of the season and will not be coaxed into signing a new deal.

And Neuer feels the Gladbach star has the potential to become one of the best in his position.

"There is no doubt about it that Ter Stegen is a great goalkeeper. He is a player with a big future ahead of him," Neuer was quoted as saying by AS when questioned about his compatriot.

"He is sensational. He is very agile and always knows how to deal with complicated situations. He is a superb shot-stopper.

"I don't know whether he's ready to play for a team like Barcelona yet. That's a decision their technical staff will have to make."

Ter Stegen's contract with Monchengladbach runs until the summer of 2015.

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Lahm: Bayern driven by 2012 heartache

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm insists the heartache and bitter disappointment felt in 2012, drove them on to success in an "unbelievable" 2013.

Currently enjoying the Bundesliga's mid-season break, Lahm reflected on an exhausting year that saw Bayern win a staggering five trophies.

The Bundesliga title set them going - the Bavarian giants won the title by a staggering 25 points from Borussia Dortmund - before they lifted the Champions League trophy for the fifth time in their history.

Success in the DFB-Pokal, Super Cup and Club World Cup has followed, and Lahm believes because they channelled their feelings of anger and frustration in 2012, they were able to come back even stronger.

"There were two possible outcomes after the final in 2012: either we fell apart as a team, or we grew even closer together," he told the club's official website.

"The second of these is what happened. This footballing tragedy and our bitter tears of grief released incredible inner strength.

"That was our biggest trump card. On top of that, the squad was and is very, very strong. Every man stepped up when he was needed.

Lahm says victory over Raja Casablanca in the Club World Cup final was the perfect way to end an incredible 2013.

"But the Club World Cup was another highlight to end the year," he continued. "It was easy to summon up our last reserves of energy, and it was the perfect end to an unbelievable year.

"The tournament in Morocco was a fantastic new experience, and who knows whether I'll ever experience it again?

"Obviously I hope so, but we all know how difficult it is to win the Champions League."

When asked to name a highlight of 2013, Lahm said it was an easy decision, nominating the club's 2-1 win over Dortmund in the Champions League final.

"(If) I have to choose then obviously it's the moment I lifted the European Cup in London," he added.

"I can't really put my feeling of happiness into words. Our hard work paid off at last, it worked out for us at last, and I finally had the thing in my hands.

"It was so thrilling and a magnificent moment."

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Heynckes: Bayern Munich can rule Europe for the next decade

Jupp Heynckes says that former club Bayern Munich can rule Europe for the next decade.

The 68-year-old led the Bavarian outfit to a treble last season and says that the side he passed onto Pep Guardiola is perfectly placed to usher in an era of unprecedented dominance.

"A team structured like this, in terms of age, quality and mutual respect, has a great decade to come," Heynckes told Kicker.

"They are strong enough to remain the number one in Europe in the coming years."

Heynckes elected to retire from the game in the summer - despite being inundated with coaching opportunities after it was announced that he would be replaced at the helm by Guardiola - and he says he does not regret his decision to step back from the game.
"I have not found it hard to let go at all," he insisted. "That's because I always remained in the background and never sought the spotlight.

"On the contrary, it is a relief for me that I no longer have to make so many appearances in public!"

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Real Madrid want Gundogan

Real Madrid have a "considerable" interest in signing Ilkay Gundogan, according to the Borussia Dortmund star's father and representative, Irfan.

Xabi Alonso out of contract at the end of the season, Los Blancos are reportedly keen to strengthen in midfield, with Gundogan said to be one of their primary transfer targets.

The Germany international has seen his campaign blighted by a persistent back problem but Irfan is confident that talks over a move to the Santiago Bernabeu will begin as soon as Iklay is fully fit.

“Madrid’s interest in my son is considerable and they want to negotiate for him," he told AS.

"But, at the moment, we can’t do anything until Ilkay has completely recovered from his back injury.

"When he is playing regular football we can begin talks.”

Gundogan suffered a recurrence of a back problem on international duty at the start of the season but is hopeful of making his return to action when the Bundesliga resumes in January.

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Watzke: Dortmund fairytale not over yet

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans Joachim Watzke says the club’s fairytale is far from over despite the financial superiority of Bayern Munich.

BVB rose from the ashes of financial difficulty during the mid-2000’s to win back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 before reaching the final of the Champions League last season.

But having lost Mario Gotze to Bayern over the summer and slipped to fourth in the league table – 12 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side - amid a devastating injury crisis, Dortmund face a battle to resurrect their season after the international break.

Watzke told derwesten.de: “We are very ambitious but we have 80, €100 million less salary than other big clubs in Europe, including Bayern Munich.

“Nevertheless, it is the desire of the people that we beat Bayern. We have written this fairytale and reached a certain level that if we don’t reach will be considered a failure.”

Coach Jurgen Klopp has played a pivotal role in the club’s resurgence since his appointment in 2008 and Watzke says continuity is one of the key reasons for BVB’s success and is a template that will be followed for years to come.

“Continuity always helps. If you like to change your management every two or three years, you get dips in performance.

“The other thing is confidence. We can thrash out the most absurd ideas and have no fear of trying different things because we have a budget half of that of Bayern.

“Our model has simply evolved. It was a rational decision to bring in Jurgen Klopp and embark on a new football style. Our relationship is not something you can copy, we’re not too far apart in age and that helps.”

Injuries to Lukasz Piszczek, Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Marcel Schmelzer and Ilkay Gundogan have robbed Dortmund of five of their first choice 11 in the first of the season and prompted Klopp to label the situation the most difficult of his career.

And with 2014 on the horizon, Watzke has admitted his simply hopes for a clean bill of health in the new year.

“I wish that we never see such an injury situation again. If the team is predominantly fit, we will play a very good second half of the season because I am very sure we will keep working hard to move forward.
And of course I hope that we can get through the two cup rounds. Then I would be very happy.”

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Sahin: Dortmund lack killer instinct

Nuri Sahin is still seething after Borussia Dortmund lost yet more ground on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich by slumping to a third straight home defeat at the weekend.

Die Schwarzgelben were beaten 2-1 by Hertha Berlin at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday, meaning they go into the winter break 12 points in fourth place, a staggering 12 points behind their Bavarian rivals, who also have a game in hand.

Sahin was particularly frustrated by the loss as Jurgen Klopp's men had actually gone in front through Marco Reus seven minutes in, only to succumb to goals from Adrian Ramos and Sami Allagui.

"We should have added to our lead after going in front, but we took our foot off the gas," the Turkey international told Bundesliga.com.

"We need more of a killer instinct to win these types of matches. Had we scored the second goal, Hertha wouldn't have got back into the match.

"They defended well in the second half and took advantage of our errors in the first. We're very frustrated."

Sebastian Kehl echoed his team-mate's sentiments, admitting that last season's Champions League runners-up had effectively switched off after Reus' opener.

"We stopped playing football after making a good start to the match," the 33-year-old lamented.

"We let Hertha back into the game with those two goals and we couldn't break them down in the second half.

"The defeat is very, very disappointing - it's our third home defeat in a row and we're going to have to wait until the start of next year to put things right."

Dortmund will resume their Bundesliga campaign against Augsburg at Signal Iduna Park on January 25.

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