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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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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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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Klopp: This is the hardest season of my career

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp claims injuries have made this season the hardest of his career.

The likes of Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Lukasz Piszczek, Marcel Schmelzer and Ilkay Gundogan have all missed significant chunks of this term, with the Serb set to miss the rest of season.

They injury crisis has seen them slump down the Bundesliga table but Klopp insists that it is not linked with BVB's ferocious style of play.
"As far as injuries, it is the hardest (season) of my coaching career," he told Rheinische Post.

"It is farfetched when people say that injuries are to do with our style of play - you only have to look at who is hurt and why - you soon notice that they have nothing to do with each other.

"The good thing is that Erik Durm, Marian Sarr, Jonas Hofmann and others get the chance to play in a top league.

"A complete axle is broken with us; that changes the whole game. Two centre-backs, two full-backs, two defensive midfielders It changes the whole structure."

However, despite the difficulties of recent months, Klopp says he enjoys working with his current group of players, particularly with the progress they have made.

"It's a pleasure to work with these guys. You cope with the pressure of having to win. We are recognised as a top team and will be remembered as one."

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Klopp: We need the winter break

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted his side are in need of the winter break after their 2-1 home loss to Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

The Bundesliga giants have suffered from a spate of injuries throughout the first half of the season and currently sit 12 points adrift of Bayern Munich, having played a game more.

Saturday's loss was their third home defeat in the league on the bounce and Klopp is looking forward to being able to recuperate after their spectacular loss of form.

"Something which started very well has ended quite miserably. And that's the way if feels like now," he told Sky Deutschland.

"We're in need of the break. But it's us who are responsible and we must think about some things."

Reflecting on the match, Klopp said that his side failed to rise to the occasion after Sami Allagui's goal, which gave Hertha the lead on the stroke of half time.

"The reaction to the second goal was not good, it must be said," the 46-year-old added.

"We let Hertha come back completely unnecessarily."

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Klopp : Napoli is like us

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has said that Napoli play a similar style of football to his team.

The Champions League finalists begin their campaign this term with a trip to the San Paolo and the 46-year-old is full of respect for their opponents.

"Napoli play a very lively kind of football, it's not too different from ours," Klopp told reporters.

"If you look at the players at Napoli, they have a very experienced defence while their attack stands for pace and technique.

"We do not fear them, but we know what we are dealing with and have a lot of respect."

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