Coach Jurgen Klopp has told Borussia Dortmund's fans to get behind their team for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg against Real Madrid with the club reeling from the news star Mario Goetze will join Bayern Munich.
Dortmund suffered a huge psychological blow on the eve of the biggest game of their season when the German side confirmed newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern had triggered the release clause in the 20-year-old's contract, reported to be EUR37m (US $48million).
Klopp admitted knowing about Goetze's move on April 10, the day after Dortmund's dramatic 3-2 quarter-final win at home to Malaga, with two goals inside 70 seconds of added time, but insisted the team would not let Goetze's departure to their domestic rivals affect them on Wednesday.
"I had about 24 hours to be happy about the Malaga result, but nobody needs to worry about our focus. If anything, it is sharper than ever," insisted Klopp.
"We always say that we are a special club, we have a chance to show it.
"Personal disappointment aside, the fans will create a unique atmosphere to support this team, that fully deserves and needs it, against Real Madrid.
"Despite this event, we can be stronger tomorrow."
Dortmund took four points off Real in the group stages, beating Jose Mourinho's side 2-1 at home last October before drawing 2-2 in Madrid, to finish top of Group D and are the only unbeaten team left in the competition.
"What we have achieved so far has been outstanding," said midfielder Jakub 'Kuba' Blaszczykowski.
"We are undefeated in the Champions League and hope to maintain that run until the end.
"We beat Real in the group stages, then we went to Madrid and put in one of our greatest performances.
"I have been here for six years and I know our supporters will be fully behind us tomorrow, because here in Dortmund, BVB is more important than anything else."
Borussia are looking for a hat-trick of home victories against Spanish league sides after the quarter-final win over Malaga.
While Dortmund are eyeing a second European Cup final, 16 years after beating Juventus to win the 1997 trophy, Madrid are aiming for their 13th final appearance and Klopp said his team must prevent their stars having posession.
Klopp pointed to Real's last 16, second-leg win at 10-man Manchester United in March when Mourinho's side sealed a 2-1 victory with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the second-half winner.
"Against Manchester United, Real Madrid had 68 percent possession and when you have the ball, we can do great things in football," said Klopp.
"Madrid is one of the best teams in the world.
"It is a semi-final and we want to give ourselves the chance to be in a good situation for the match in Madrid (April 30)."
Source: AFP
