DORTMUND, Germany: Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has insisted his side still face a tough task to see off Shakhtar Donetsk in today’s Champions League last 16 second leg, despite the 2-2 draw in Ukraine.
A late goal by Germany centre-back Mats Hummels rescued the draw three weeks ago at Donetsk, providing a two-away goal advantage for the return leg at Borussia’s Signal Iduna Park stadium.
“We were the best team in Donetsk, but despite that it finished 2-2, to be the better team again is a real challenge for us,” said Klopp, who gave a curt answer when asked who his dream opponent would be in the last eight.
“We still have too much to do. We are a bit too far away to be wishing for a particular opponent in the next round.”
Dortmund twice came from behind at Donetsk’s Donbass Arena after substitute Douglas Costa had given the Ukraine champions a second-half lead.
Robert Lewandowski had earlier cancelled out Darijo Srna’s free-kick before the break.
Hummels’s thumping header three minutes from time meant Dortmund left the Ukraine with an advantage, but the 24-year-old has missed the last two games with flu and is rated as 50:50 for Tuesday.
Having been one of only four teams who enjoyed a 100 percent home record in the group stages, enjoying wins over Ajax, Real Madrid and Manchester City, hosts Borussia warmed up with a 3-1 win over Hanover on Saturday.
Lewandowski scored twice in the victory which kept Dortmund second in the Bundesliga.
Donetsk enjoyed a 4-1 win over Volyn Lutsk last Friday to stay top of the Ukrainian league, with Costa, midfielder Oleksandr Kucher and Croatia striker Eduardo scoring in the rout.
“It will be very difficult for us in Dortmund, because we will be under a lot of pressure,” said Donetsk’s Romania defender Razvan Rat.
“They have got great fans and they will also be confident after getting a good result in the first leg. A 0-0 draw would suit them, so we need to attack and take risks, but, at the same time, we must make sure that we do not concede.”
Dortmund left-back Marcel Schmelzer said the team must concentrate harder to contain the fleet-footed Donetsk attack, especially with Brazil forward Luiz Adriano vowing to dedicate any goals he scores to his new-born daughter.
While Donetsk have had just two games this year with the Ukraine league only resuming on Friday, Dortmund face their third game in seven days.
“We are in a good starting position, but we must concentrate a bit harder than in our last few games,” he said. “If we do that, we’ll make the next round.
“Donetsk are still fresh, they have only played two games this year, that makes them dangerous and they have plenty of speed with their fast attacking Brazilians. We have to be careful.”
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has said that the German champions will strengthen their squad for next season.
“We will invest significantly for next season, but we will do it without having to take out extra money,” he told German broadcaster Sport1, referring to the 40m euros (US$52m) Dortmund have earned so far in the Champions League.
“We will try to get a bit more volume to our forward positions and out wide.”
With Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski having said he will not renew his contract, which expires in June 2014, Watzke said he hopes to retain his services until then with the Poland star having been linked to rivals Bayern Munich.
“My wishful thinking is that Robert will also play for us next season,” said Watzke, Dortmund’s chief executive officer, but Borussia may be forced to sell their star asset at the end of the season or risk losing him on a free transfer. AGENCIES
