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Champions League qualification the key, says Klopp
24 March 2014
Jurgen Klopp is hoping the lure of UEFA Champions League qualification will help Borussia Dortmund hang on to second in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund currently sit one point clear of third-placed local rivals Schalke, who visit Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday, but a mammoth 23 points adrift of all-conquering leaders Bayern Munich.
And Klopp wants his players to avoid waivering from their target of automatic qualification for European competition, with Bayern having run away with the league again this season.
"It's all about qualifying for the Champions League directly," he said. "If we finish second, we've done that.
"Schalke have some fantastic young players. Kaan Ayhan, Max Meyer and Julian Draxler have been there a while.
"I think the home team always has a slight advantage in derbies, but I don't think that plays a huge role."
Klopp, for whom Marcel Schmelzer and Jakub Blaszczykowski are among a lengthy list of absentees, also joked the sides could host another match between their injured players.
"You could play a separate derby with all the players that are missing for tomorrow's game," he quipped.
UEFA have ordered the partial closure of the Allianz Arena following the display of controversial banners by Bayern Munich fans.
The signs were displayed by home fans during the second leg of Bayern's UEFA Champions League tie with Arsenal on March 11, which saw the German outfit progress 3-1 on aggregate.
One crudely made banner depicted a man in an Arsenal away strip bent over in front of a cannon and was emblazoned with the words "Gay Gunners", while another read "Say no to racism, say yes to Kosovo" in reference to a campaign to have the territory officially recognised by FIFA.
UEFA have now ordered the closure of sector 124 at the Allianz Arena for the second leg of Bayern's Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester United on April 9.
The Bundesliga leaders have also been fined €10,000 for the incident.
Citing the "discriminatory behaviour of Bayern supporters" and "the displaying of an illicit banner", a UEFA statement read: "The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to order the partial closure of the Football Arena Munchen.
"In particular, the closure of sector 124 for Bayern's next UEFA competition home match, namely their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United FC on 9 April."
Pep Guardiola admits he has been surprised by Bayern Munich's dominance of the Bundesliga this season.
Victory for the Allianz Arena outfit at Hertha Berlin on Tuesday would be enough to crown them champions of Germany for the 24th time with seven games to spare.
Ahead of that game, Guardiola revealed he has been taken aback by his side's consistency.
"I am surprised (by) what my players have achieved - 18 straight wins is a great record," he said.
"The sooner we win the league the better, but it's no foregone conclusion that we'll win tomorrow (Tuesday). We have to play against a strong opponent.
"There will be a huge celebration if we win the league tomorrow. Winning the Bundesliga isn't easy.
"For me, the Bundesliga is the most important title. You have to show you're better every week."
Thiago Alcantara is the only Bayern player in doubt for Tuesday's clash, and Guardiola has suggested he may take the opportunity to rotate his squad.
"Thiago will undergo a few tests, but all the other players are fit," he added. "Everyone's fit, so we can rotate as much as we want."
Bayern boss Rumenigge laments vote against goal-line technology
Mar 24, 2014 9:12:00 PM
The former West Germany was disappointed by the outcome of Monday's meeting in Frankfurt, while Mainz boss Thomas Tuchel says he is baffled by the decision
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has expressed his "regret" at seeing clubs from Germany's top two leagues vote against the introduction of goal-line technology.
In order to be passed, the proposal required the support of at least 12 sides from both the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga - a two-thirds majority in each championship.
However, of the 36 clubs present at Monday's meeting in Frankfurt, nine top-tier teams and 15 second division sides voted against allowing match officials to avail of technology in order to confirm whether a ball had cross the goal-line.
"Democratically, we have to accept it," Rummenigge told reporters afterwards. "But we regret the decision at Bayern."
Mainz boss Mainz boss Thomas Tuchel went further, stating that he was utterly bemused by the outcome of the vote.
"For me, it is incomprehensible that it has been rejected," he lamented. "I can't understand it."
Meanwhile, the chairman of the German Football Association's (DFB) referee commission, Herbert Fandel, hinted that he too was disappointed by the decision.
"We referees have always said that we would welcome the introduction of goal-line technology," he stated.
"It supports the referees in the most important decision of football and also takes away a little of the criticism.
"The fact that the professional clubs have now spoken mostly on the other hand, we accept of course."
Goal-line technology is already being utilised in the Premier League and will be available to officials at this year's World Cup in Brazil.
Bayern Munich can complete their Bundesliga title defence with victory against an out-of-form Hertha Berlin side on Tuesday.
Having once again dominated the German top flight this season, dropping just four points all term, Pep Guardiola's men can make certain of their 24th league crown with a win in the capital.
After winning the division by 25 points in 2012-13, all-conquering Bayern - who also lifted the UEFA Champions League DFB-Pokal trophies last season - have picked up where they left off under the tutelage of Guardiola, and currently sit 23 points clear of Borussia Dortmund with eight games remaining.
The Bavarians could have retained their title at the weekend thanks to their 2-0 win at Mainz, but were denied as both Dortmund and third-placed Schalke were also victorious to ensure the champions' champagne was put on ice.
However, even if Bayern were to draw at Berlin's Olympic Stadium and Dortmund were to beat Schalke in their midweek derby clash, the Bavarians would still essentially be over the line thanks to their vastly superior goal difference.
Late goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gotze gave Guardiola's side their vicotry at Mainz on Saturday, and they now boast a goal difference of 64 - some 34 better than Dortmund.
And defender Jerome Boateng is determined to ensure Bayern can begin their celebrations by beating his former club.
"The important thing is that we've won (at Mainz) and taken another step towards the championship," he said.
"It's wonderful that we could win the league in Berlin, which is where it all started for me. We've prepared the way for it (at Mainz)."
Despite Bayern's irresistible form - both domestically and in the Champions League, where they will meet Manchester United in the quarter-finals - Hertha can take confidence from their performance at the Allianz Arena in this season's reverse fixture.
Last season's 2. Bundesliga winners took an early lead in Munich back in October through Adrian Ramos, and even when a Mario Mandzukic brace and Mario Gotze made it 3-1, the visitors remained in with a shout thanks to Anis Ben Hatira's response just before the hour.
Their narrow defeat came during what was a positive start on their return to the Bundesliga but, after some disappointing recent results, Jos Luhukay has seen his side fade away in their chase for European football next term.
Sitting five points behind Wolfsburg in sixth, Hertha remain in with a shout of UEFA Europa League qualification but - given their next opponents - look set to find themselves no closer to their rivals come full-time on Tuesday.
Hertha have not won since a 2-1 victory at strugglers Stuttgart on February 22 - scoring just once in four games since that success.
More than local pride will be on the line when Borussia Dortmund clash with rivals Schalke in the Bundesliga on Tuesday.
The Revierderby is always significant to both clubs, regardless of their standing in German football.
But the intensity will be ramped up at Signal-Iduna Park on Tuesday, with the fixture crucial to Dortmund and Schalke in their bid to finish second.
Runaway leaders Bayern Munich are highly unlikely to be caught, but second spot is well and truly up for grabs with Jurgen Klopp's men just one point ahead of third-placed Schalke.
Dortmund warmed up for the derby with a 3-0 win at Hannover on Saturday, with goals to Mats Hummels, Robert Lewandowski and Marco Reus helping them bounce back from two successive home defeats.
Lewandowski's goal was an outstanding solo effort and the Poland striker says the result has boosted spirits ahead of Schalke's visit.
"This win was very, very important as we have picked up a lot of confidence for the derby," he told Dortmund's official website.
"Schalke gave only one point less than we do, so it's not just the derby itself that motivates us. It's also the battle for second place.
"This is a real top match now and we really want to win it. We fared quite well in the last couple of derbies…we will be highly motivated."
Dortmund will also be lifted by the news that club captain Sebastian Kehl signed a one-year contract extension on Sunday.
Schalke also enter the match on the back of a triumph, having toppled Eintracht Braunschweig 3-1 on Saturday.
And although Schalke exited the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday with a 9-2 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid – who Dortmund will play in the quarter-finals of the competition – coach Jens Keller believes his side are in good shape.
"I'm really proud of this great team," he told Schalke's official website after their latest win.
"The task now is to muster all our strength for the derby. We go to Dortmund with a good feeling - and it looks as if we have no further injuries."
Dortmund won the reverse fixture 3-1 in October, but lost both meetings 2-1 last term.
Both sides have significant injury problems, but Dortmund will be hopeful forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns from a muscular injury after missing out on Saturday.
Definitely missing for Dortmund will be long-term absentees Jakub Blaszczykowski and Neven Subotic (both knee) and Ilkay Gundogan (back), while Sven Bender and Marcel Schmelzer (both groin) are also on the sidelines.
Schalke captain Benedikt Howedes (adductor injury) is out for several weeks and fellow defenders Christian Fuchs (knee), Felipe Santana, Atsuto Uchida (both hamstring) and Jan Kirchhoff (ankle) miss out.
The absentees are not limited to defenders either, with midfielders Jefferson Farfan, Marco Hoger and Dennis Aogo (all knee) and Christian Clemens (hip) also battling injuries.
With so many key players missing, the depth of both squads is sure to be tested in one of German football's biggest fixtures.
Bundesliga Wrap: Bayern win title, Schalke play out draw at Dortmund
25 March 2014
Bayern Munich sealed their 24th German title in stylish fashion with a comfortable 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin on Tuesday.
The Bavarian giants became the first Bundesliga club to win the title in March, defending their title with a record seven matches to spare thanks to goals from Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze and Franck Ribery.
Kroos and Gotze struck within the first 15 minutes, setting the tone in a match that Bayern controlled, and although Adrian Ramos scored a second-half penalty for Hertha, Ribery wrapped up his side's win with a delightful chip from a tight angle 11 minutes from time.
Bayern now boast a 25-point lead over nearest challengers Borussia Dortmund, who were held to a goalless draw by third-placed Schalke.
Having won the league by 25 points under Jupp Heynckes last term, the champions will now aim to triumph by an even greater margin and their evolution under Pep Guardiola was evident in the German capital.
A fluid start from Bayern saw Kroos stroke home from 12 yards following a deflected cross from Thomas Muller and Gotze then converted Bastian Schweinsteiger's right-wing delivery with a neat header.
Ramos converted a 66th-minute penalty with a cheeky chip to bring Hertha back into the contest, but Bayern restored their two-goal advantage when a fine run from Gotze set up Ribery to finish superbly.
The Revierderby at Signal Iduna Park was much less eventful as Bayern's two closest rivals in terms of league position failed to score.
Dortmund dominated for large spells, but saw the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all denied by Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann.
Schalke remain a point behind Dortmund, with the battle for second now set to take centre stage after Bayern confirmed their title glory.
At the wrong end of the table, rock-bottom Eintracht Braunschweig boosted their chances of survival with their fifth win of the season as they upset Mainz 3-1.
Mainz, who are chasing a European spot, were rocked by Dominick Kumbela's 18th-minute opener but Nicolai Muller produced a quick response.
Havard Nelsen's goal on the stroke of half-time changed the complexion of the game, though, and Braunschweig wrapped up a rare win with Kumbela's outrageous overhead kick 13 minutes from time.
Braunschweig are now two points behind Hamburg, who occupy the relegation play-off spot.
Tuesday's other match saw Wolfsburg climb to fifth with a 3-1 win at Werder Bremen.
Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp hinted Bayern Munich could be set to dominate the Bundesliga like never before after Tuesday's title triumph.
Bayern wrapped up the 2013/14 German league title with a 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin, after second-placed Dortmund were held to a scoreless draw in the Revierderby by Schalke.
Dortmund coach Klopp claimed Bayern had 'demolished' the Bundesliga this season, after the Bavarian club moved 25 points clear with seven games remaining, and joked that his team 'need a telescope' to see Pep Guardiola's side.
"It's unbelievable how you have demolished (the Bundesliga) because we see you, but actually need a telescope," Klopp said.
"This was a fantastic achievement, congratulations for the championship."
Since the Bundesliga began in the 1963/64 season, Bayern - who ironically were not an original member - have been the most successful club, winning their 24th title on Tuesday.
Bayern have won three league titles in a row on three occasions in the early 1970s, mid 1980s and turn of the millennium.
But with Klopp's attitude of resignation that Dortmund - who won the Bundesliga in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons - are well behind Bayern, it seems Guardiola and the Bavarians are set for another long period of success.
Dortmund's best striker Robert Lewandowski is set to join Bayern next season, joining Mario Gotze in moving from North Rhine-Westphalia to Bavaria.
Arguably Bayern's best decade was in the 1980s with the club winning seven titles from the 1979/80 season to the 1989/90 campaign, including five in six seasons starting in 1984/85.
Klopp seems to believe Bayern are again consistent enough to challenge the 1980s generation that included Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Lothar Matthaus and Klaus Augenthaler.
"It's so impressive," Klopp said.
"You have to tip your hat to Bayern's consistency on the field of play and their absolute desire."
Klopp was left frustrated by his team's inability to overcome Schalke at home and praised the visitors' defensive efforts to keep Dortmund scoreless.
"It was a really good performance by us, perhaps our best home showing for many weeks, but it still ended up 0-0," the 46-year-old said.
"That was either down to (Schalke goalkeeper) Ralf Fahrmann or a Schalke defender sticking a leg out or us heading the ball wide."
Fahrmann also received a glowing review from Schalke coach Jens Keller.
"The way our young team held their own and earned themselves a point was impressive," Keller said.
"Ralf Fahrmann produced another unbelievable performance. He made some outstanding saves.
"Our defenders also withstood the pressure and won lots of important tackles."
Nuremberg moved out of the Bundesliga relegation places with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Stuttgart on Wednesday.
A Josip Drmic double proved to be enough for Gertjan Verbeek's side with the Switzerland forward taking his tally for the season to 15.
Drmic opened the scoring two minutes before the break with a fine finish into the bottom corner and completed his brace after 54 minutes by turning home Markus Feulner's right-wing cross.
The victory sees Nuremberg leapfrog Stuttgart, Hamburg and Freiburg after the latter pair played out a 1-1 draw at the Imtech Arena.
Vladimir Darida lashed home Freiburg's opener early in the second half after Felix Klaus had hit the post, only for Pierre-Michel Lasogga to earn a share of the spoils for Hamburg with a deflected effort.
Meanwhile at the other end of the table Bayer Leverkusen strengthened their grip on fourth spot with a 3-1 success at Augsburg.
Late goals from Song Heung-Min and Emre Can wrapped up the points for Leverkusen after Augsburg's Tobias Werner had cancelled out Stefan Kiessling's opener.
Leverkusen are three points clear of Wolfsburg and a further two ahead of sixth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach, who lost 1-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt by virtue of a 16th minute strike from Joselu.
Meanwhile, Hoffenheim claimed a second straight win after coming from behind to beat 10-man Hannover 3-1.
Midfielder Leon Andreasen put Hannover ahead, only for Eugen Polanski and Anthony Modeste to turn the game around for Hoffenheim.
Manuel Schmiedebach then saw red for the visitors following the midfielder's rash challenge on Modeste, and Hoffenheim took advantage in injury time as Sebastian Rudy rounded off the win.
Schalke coach Jens Keller has hinted the club could look to make a move for Hoffenheim's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino.
Firmino has been in fine form this season, scoring 13 goals in 25 Bundesliga appearances.
Having helped Hoffenheim to 10th in the Bundesliga this term, alongside the likes of Kevin Volland and Anthony Modeste, Firmino has caught Keller's eye, with the Schalke boss hinting at an interest.
"Firmino is a good player and could help us," Keller told Sport Bild.
"He is a player of great quality and would certainly be interesting."
Firmino, 22, moved to Hoffenheim in 2011 from Brazilian side Figueirense and has been linked with a host of Europe's top clubs such as Liverpool and Chelsea.
Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has warned potential suitors the club have no need to sell more sought-after players.
Prolific striker Robert Lewandowski will join Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich at the end of the season, while the likes of Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan have been linked with moves away from Signal Iduna Park.
Manchester United are reportedly keen to take playmaker Reus to Old Trafford, and both Real Madrid and United are said to be interested in midfielder Gundogan.
Gundogan's contract expires next year, but he has been offered a new deal and Watzke has denied suggestions Dortmund will look to cash in on the 23-year-old.
"We would like to prolong with Ilkay. He has an offer on the table," Watzke told Sport Bild. "The decision will certainly not wait until the summer."
Watzke stressed that the same applies for fellow Germany international Reus and any other Dortmund players that are in demand, but under contract.
"We absolutely do not see the need to sell players who have an existing contract." he said.
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has hit out at the UEFA Nations League, claiming Europe's top players do not need more games.
UEFA confirmed on Thursday they will introduce the Nations League in 2018, which will see the European confederation split into four divisions of four pools for a biennial round-robin competition.
The concept has been developed with the aim of improving the standing of international football in Europe and also to reduce the number of meaningless friendlies, but Klopp said he cannot believe club coaches were not consulted.
"I think the decision would be different if the people who made the decision also had to play in the game," Dortmund's coach said on Thursday.
"I think within the next years we will all realise that we have to prioritise, because the game in itself can't be less intense, if you want to be successful in it.
"So therefore you have to make sure that the number of games isn't raised. I mean neither managers nor players have been asked at all what they think of this, It's just been decided. We will see what others will make of it.
Klopp added: "Let's say I didn't exactly initiate a party of joy at home when this was known to us.
"Maybe we were so involved with our daily routine that someone forgot to tell us about it, but I didn't even know that a decision was made. Bang, we have a Nations Cup.
"I would appreciate if in such moments the players and people who are closer to the daily strain would be involved a little bit."
Looking ahead to Dortmund's run of seven games in 21 days, which will start on Saturday against Stuttgart, Klopp was more positive about his team's prospects.
Dortmund have struggled with injuries this season but Klopp said the North Rhine-Westphalia-based club are looking sharp after their 0-0 draw against local rivals Schalke last week, and are primed for a tough finish to the Bundesliga plus a two-legged UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
"Within our 18-19 player squad we will try to get everyone playing so everyone can take the strain a little, however the focus should be on winning the next game... the game against Schalke showed us, everything we need is there, we just have to use it really," Klopp said.
Bundesliga Preview: Strugglers set to meet as relegation battle heats up
27 March 2014
With the title race wrapped up in record time, eyes turn to the relegation fight in the Bundesliga during what could be a defining weekend.
Bayern made certain of their 24th league title on Tuesday with victory at Hertha Berlin and, while the trophy has been destined for the Allianz Arena for much of the campaign, the battle to avoid the drop has been far more intriguing.
Midweek results led to a reshuffling of the pack in the lower reaches of the German top flight and that could be the case again by the close of round 28 of action, with a number of survival six-pointers taking place.
Hannover and Werder Bremen, 12th and 13th respectively, could yet be dragged back into the relegation mix-up but can take a big step towards safety in Sunday's late clash at the HDI-Arena.
Both sides have lost their last two - offering hope to Nuremberg and Freiburg beneath them.
They meet at the Mage Solar Stadion on Saturday, with Gertjan Verbeek's side coming into the game having beaten fellow strugglers Stuttgart on Wednesday - a result that ended a four-match losing streak and moved them up to 14th.
A Josip Drmic brace was enough to condemn Huub Stevens to his first defeat as Stuttgart boss and his charges will have their work cut out against Borussia Dortmund as they bid to bounce back.
Stuttgart were taken apart 6-1 in the reverse fixture and Jurgen Klopp's team will be eager for a repeat as they fight it out with Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen for automatic UEFA Champions League qualification.
Rock-bottom Eintracht Braunschweig can build on their excellent win over UEFA Europa League hopefuls Mainz when they travel to Leverkusen, while 16th-placed Hamburg visit Borussia Monchengladbach.
Schalke earned a goalless draw in the Revierderby against Dortmund in midweek, with coach Jens Keller commenting: "The way our young team held their own and earned themselves a point was impressive."
He will be determined to build on that showing when Hertha Berlin head to the Veltins Arena on Friday, with the hosts aiming to overtake Dortmund, even if only temporarily.
Eintracht Frankfurt look to be safe from the drop but could have a say in who makes the final European spots against Wolfsburg, while Hoffenheim are the latest side to try to stop the Bayern juggernaut.
Pep Guardiola's side are still in the running to become the first team to go an entire Bundesliga season unbeaten and they are 14 points from equalling the league's record haul of 91 - set by Jupp Heynckes' Bayern outfit last term.
Hoffenheim will hope to take advantage of any title celebration hangovers when they visit Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Pep Guardiola's men completed their title defence on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Hertha Berlin as goals from Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze and Franck Ribery saw them over the line in record time.
Bayern wrapped up a 24th league championship with seven games to spare and will now attempt to avoid defeat in the run-in to become the first side in Bundesliga history to enjoy an unbeaten campaign - while a host of other landmarks are also now in their sights.
Their quest continues with the visit of mid-table Hoffenheim on Saturday and defender Jerome Boateng is eager for Bayern to maintain the incredibly high standards they have set.
"We've put a lot of hard work in to get to this point. We've never stopped trying to produce the performances we know we're capable of in every single game," he told the Bundesliga's official website.
"I have no doubt that we'll continue performing at this level in our remaining fixtures this season.
"I don't think there's any danger. We'll only make things difficult for ourselves if we become complacent, but we're adamant that we're not going to let it come to that."
Bayern need 14 points to match the Bundesliga's record points total, which they set last season, and will be heavy favourites to add to their tally this weekend.
And eyeing a 20th successive league win, Guardiola's side face a Hoffenheim outfit left with little to play for.
Back-to-back wins - the latest coming against Hannover in midweek - have countered two previous losses and given them a lift, but their outside hopes of a top-six finish still look to have faded.
And if they are to register an unlikely victory against Guardiola's men they will likely need a superhuman defensive effort, having shipped 15 goals in their last six games - keeping just one clean sheet in the league this term.
Bayern, meanwhile, are one goal away from 80 in the top flight this season and are close to setting a new record for the fewest conceded in a Bundesliga campaign.
The current record, set by Bayern, stands at 18, with Manuel Neuer and back-up Tom Starke - with a single appearance against Hannover in February - conceding just 13 this term.
Neuer is also five clean sheets away from matching last season's record of 21, again set by the champions.
Having seen Bayern Munich wrap up the Bundesliga title, Borussia Dortmund continue their quest for second against Stuttgart on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola's men made certain of their 24th league title with a 3-1 victory at Hertha Berlin on Tuesday as they moved 25 points clear of Dortmund in second.
Even if Jurgen Klopp's charges had beaten rivals Schalke on the same evening, it would have mattered little to the destination of the Bundesliga crown - such has been Bayern's dominance this term.
As it was, Dortmund were held to a goalless draw in the Revierderby at Signal Iduna Park as they missed the chance to move four points clear of the visitors in the race for the runner-up spot.
Despite that, defender Mats Hummels was still buoyed by Tuesday's performance, particularly after their last home league match ended in a 2-1 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach.
"We played really well and were clearly the better side, but unfortunately we failed to find the net," Hummels told Dortmund's official website.
"That's a shame, but it's better than putting in a poor performance, as we did against Gladbach. What's important for us is that we finally played again the way we want to play."
Dortmund face a Stuttgart side buoyed by the recent appointment of Huub Stevens, with the Dutchman having overseen an end to the club's 10-match winless run in the league with last Saturday's 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Hamburg.
However, they failed to follow that up when they lost 2-0 at Nuremberg in midweek and missed a chance to climb out of the relegation zone.
Stevens has now demanded a response on Saturday, and is refusing to give up the fight in the battle to avoid the drop.
"Nuremberg knew what was at stake here," he said after that reverse.
"We stared well, but stopped playing football after 20 minutes and allowed the game to get away from us. That's something we need to discuss – it’s just not acceptable. Nuremberg displayed just what a relegation battle is all about.
"The table is only an initial impression right now, the important thing is how it looks after the 34th match day."
Stevens is at least boosted by the inclusion of attacker Martin Harnik, who returned from suspension against Nuremberg and should once again play a part.
Klopp's men come into the game boasting an impressive recent away record, having won four of their last five Bundesliga trips.
However, their defeat in that time came against lowly Hamburg - a result Stevens' side will look to emulate as they continue their battle for survival.
Bayern Munich party until 7am after league win, Pep Guardiola hits the dance floor
Ryan Bailey
By Ryan Bailey March 27, 2014 10:51 AM Dirty Tackle
Bayern Munich won their record 24th Bundesliga in record time with a 3-1 victory at Hertha Berlin on Tuesday. According to German newspaper Bild, they partied harder than Andrew WK on his birthday right after the game.
Once the celebrations had finished at the Olympic Stadium, the team bus headed straight to the fashionable Kitty Cheng bar on Berlin's Torstrasse, where they arrived a little after midnight. Clearly, the venue relaxed its dress code for the league champions, as all the players were still dressed in their Bayern training gear — manager Pep Guardiola was the only one in a shirt and tie.
Bild claims Bayern's anthem 'Stern des Südens' ('Star of the South') was played on a "continuous loop" throughout the evening, but at 2.15am, Guardiola hit the dancefloor to throw some shapes to Pharrell Williams' appropriately titled hit 'Happy'.
Players drank champagne and drank Grey Goose Vodka while eating burgers and Asian finger food — none of which is part of Bayern's strict dietary regime. Of large sausages and beer.
Toni Kroos and Marios Götze and Mandzukic were among the first to leave the bar at 3.11am while Guardiola made his exit at 4.13am (Bild are very precise with their timings). Striker Thomas Müller left looking pretty worse for wear after 5am (he must have been exhausted from asking Mario Götze very cheeky questions), and the party continued until around 7am. The team then boarded a flight back to Bavaria.
It's absolutely fine for a team to let their hair down and celebrate, but they might need reminding that they still have at least 10 games left and two cups to play for.
The whole scenario begs the question: if they were playing anyone but Manchester United in the Champions League next week, would they have Andrew WK'd quite so hard?
Schalke beat Hertha Berlin 2-0 on Friday to continue their fine recent home form and cement a UEFA Champions League qualification spot.
Jens Keller's side have now not lost any of their last nine Bundesliga outings at the Veltins-Arena, winning all but one, and sit 10 points clear of fifth-placed Wolfsburg - who host a resurgent Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Chinedu Obasi was the star of the show, scoring the game's opening goal in the first half before assisting Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's effort almost immediately after the half-time interval.
Keller named a youthful side and it was one of the younger players in the side, Kaan Ayhan, in the thick of the early action.
The 19-year-old defender almost opened his account for the club nine minutes in, only to see his curling free-kick come back off the post, but the Turkey Under-21 international nearly gifted Hertha an early goal, however Adrian Ramos could not capitalise on his slip-up.
Schalke did go ahead in the 16th minute though, Obasi pouncing on some defensive uncertainty to round Hertha's debutant goalkeeper Rune Jarstein and slot home his second goal of the season.
Anis Ben Hatira twice went close for the visitors as they sought a way back into the game, but they were stunned just 30 seconds into the second half as Schalke doubled their advantage.
Obasi was once again pivotal, surging through the midfield before slipping through Huntelaar who accurately finished first-time with his left foot.
Substitute Adam Szalai should have scored a third before Hertha defender Sebastian Langkamp saw a goal disallowed for a foul.
Schalke's three points moves them into second place, while Hertha remain six points off the top six with a full weekend program to come as their hopes of a UEFA Europa League spot fade.
Jurgen Klopp insists his Borussia Dortmund squad are not thinking of their UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid yet.
Dortmund take on the Liga giants in Madrid in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday, with Dortmund not boasting a positive record prior to their European games this season.
European clashes with Napoli and Marseille as well as both legs against Zenit have all been preceded by league defeats.
With Dortmund still in the running for second place in the Bundesliga, Klopp says all focus is on Saturday's trip to Stuttgart.
"The defeats had different reasons, but they had nothing to do with the Champions League. We are so very critical of ourselves but it was never a lack of readiness," he told Bild.
"We just often had small fluctuations in shape.
"Even now, for the guys and for me, Real is far away. The Champions League is not a topic in the dressing room."
Klopp added he is keen to put an end to Dortmund's run of poor results before Champions League games at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Dortmund beat Stuttgart 6-1 in this season's reverse fixture and can take a big step towards securing an automatic Champions League spot this weekend.
"It would be all right if we could finish that (run) with a win in Stuttgart and provide proof that it has nothing to do with the next big game," he added.
Bundesliga Wrap: Leverkusen held by Braunschweig, Wolfsburg win
29 March 2014
Bayer Leverkusen's grip on fourth place in the Bundesliga continues to loosen as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Eintracht Braunschweig.
Sami Hyypia's men ended a run of six league games without a win against Augsburg on Wednesday, but found themselves immediately under pressure as Martin Laing had an early goal disallowed.
Leverkusen were able to stem the tide until the break, but there was nothing they could do to stop Ken Reichel's thunderous volley opening the scoring early in the second half.
Braunschweig were unable to hold onto the lead for long, however, as Stefan Kiessling earned his side a point from the penalty spot after Marcel Correia handballed inside the penalty area.
Wolfsburg took full advantage of Leverkusen's slip as they moved to within a point after also coming from behind to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1.
Stefan Aigner gave Frankfurt the lead after only 11 minutes and the visitors held on for 58 minutes until Ivica Olic brought the scores level.
With time running out, the game looked to be heading for a draw only for Naldo to produce a sensational long-range strike that flew into the top corner and earned Wolfsburg all three points.
Mainz moved into the final European spot with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Augsburg thanks to goals from Niko Bungert, Johannes Geis and a Marwin Hitz an own goal.
The unfortunate Hitz made a superb save to keep Mainz at bay only for Matthias Ostrzolek to fire a clearance into the keeper's face, and the ball ricocheted into the net.
Bayern Munich followed up retaining their title in midweek by failing to win for only the third time domestically this season as Hoffenheim continued their rollercoaster season with a 3-3 draw.
Anthony Modeste gave Hoffenheim, the league's second-highest scorers behind Bayern, a surprise early lead only for Xherdan Shaqiri and a Claudio Pizarro double to expose their fragile defence, the Bundesliga's leakiest.
Sejad Salihovic pulled a goal back in the closing minute of the first half with a perfectly-placed free kick, and Roberto Firmino sealed a point with a 75th minute equaliser.
Borussia Dortmund moved back into second place in the table as a Marco Reus hat-trick saw them come from two goals down to beat Stuttgart 3-2.
Christian Gentner and Martin Harnik gave Stuttgart an deserved lead, but after Reus had pulled one goal back the dismissal of Georg Niedermeier turned the game in Dortmund's favour.
The defender's second yellow card came after hauling down Robert Lewandowski in the penalty area, Reus converted the spot kick and with the extra man Dortmund were able to find the winning goal with seven minutes to play.
Two sides just outside the bottom three, Freiburg and Nuremberg, met in a vital match at the foot of the table and once again the goals poured in.
Freiburg had to come from behind twice before Felix Klaus secured an important 3-2 victory that moves them five points clear of trouble, and level on points with Werder Bremen and Hannover.
For Nuremberg, it is a fifth league defeat in six and their misery was amplified by the dismissal of Emmanuel Pogatetz in stoppage time for an apparent elbow.
Hamburg drop into relegation zone after Gladbach defeat
Sun Mar 30, 2014 5:27pm BST
Hamburg SV's head coach Mirko Slomka reacts during their German Bundesliga first division soccer match against Eintracht Frankfurt in Hamburg, March 8, 2014. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
(Reuters) - Hamburg SV, the only ever-present club since the Bundesliga was founded in 1963, slipped back into the relegation zone after a 3-1 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Sunday.
Hamburg dropped below VfB Stuttgart into 17th place on goal difference after slumping to their sixth consecutive away defeat despite taking the lead.
Both teams have 24 points, two below Nuremberg, and six games each to play.
Stuttgart are in the relegation playoff spot.
The match started promisingly for three-times Bundesliga winners and former European champions Hamburg when Cameroon forward Jacques Zoua headed in Hakan Calhanoglu's cross just before the half hour.
Hamburg were close to a second when Rafael van der Vaart headed just wide in what proved a costly miss.
Three minutes later, Gladbach were awarded a penalty for a handball by Michael Mancienne and, although Filip Daems saw his weak effort saved by Rene Adler, the Belgian defender followed up to score from the rebound.
Calhanoglu was twice close to putting Hamburg back in front in the second half, before two quick goals from sixth-placed Gladbach finished the visitors off.
Rafael put the finishing touch to a neat move in the 75th minute and Alvaro Dominguez took advantage of poor marking to add the third three minutes later.
"The first half was good from us, but you need a bit of luck in our position, and we played against a class team," Van der Vaart told Sky. "We dominated the game at times and we had our chances."
(Reporting By Brian Homewood; editing by Toby Davis)
