Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has warned his team
not to underestimate Wolfsburg ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga clash.
Klopp played down Dortmund's chances of finishing second
this season, despite the fact the club already sit in that position, with just
five games remaining.
The North Rhine-Westphalia-based club sit a point clear
of arch-rivals Schalke and received a boost when fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen
lost 2-1 to struggling Hamburg on Friday.
But with matches against leaders Bayern Munich and
Leverkusen remaining, Klopp is far from convinced his team will finish second,
while he is also wary of fifth-placed Wolfsburg, who have won seven of their
past 10 matches in all competitions.
"It is a top game in the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg is in
good shape and in good form at the moment," Dortmund's boss said.
"Regardless they have a strong team, which can
threaten.
"It would be a huge step towards second to keep them
at bay and behind us in points."
Dortmund will also host Wolfsburg in a DFB Pokal
semi-final on April 15 but Klopp was not interested in talking about that
match, while he also emphasised how tough his team's run home will be in the
league.
"We still have to play against Bayer Leverkusen and
Bayern Munchen," the 46-year-old said.
"Regardless if they are close to us or far away,
each and every point is important when going for second spot. If you have the
chance to beat a straight competitor, that would be helpful."
Dortmund (55 points) lead Schalke (54), with the latter
set to travel to 12th-placed Werder Bremen on Saturday, while Leverkusen (48)
could be leapfrogged by Wolfsburg (47) after their loss to Hamburg.
"With Leverkusen slipping up, Wolfsburg has the
chance straight away to jump into fourth spot by beating us," Klopp said.
"That is a lot of pressure on us for the final stage
of a season. But we don't have to worry, I know my team well and I know they
are aware of all these issues."
Culled from Soccerway
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