Borussia Dortmund vs Hoffenheim preview - Gisdol: We owe Dortmund nothing - 7M sport

Borussia Dortmund vs Hoffenheim preview - Gisdol: We owe Dortmund nothing



Posted Friday, December 05, 2014 by PA

Hoffenheim coach Markus Gisdol says he does not feel he owes Borussia Dortmund any favours ahead of their clash in the Bundesliga this Friday night.

Two seasons ago, Hoffenheim picked up a shock win at the home of the then Bundesliga champions on the final day of the season to avoid relegation to the second division.

It was widely viewed that Dortmund, since they had already been crowned Bundesliga champions, did not take the game so seriously and Klopp reminded Gisdol of that game on the eve of a match which sees his side fighting for survival.

Gisdol said the reminder was not necessary, though, because his side have no favour to repay.

"I rate Jurgen Klopp very highly and as far as I'm concerned, he has been the best coach in the Bundesliga while he's been at Dortmund and he's achieved a great deal," Gisdol said at a press conference.

"But I think he's forgotten something. I never had the impression that Dortmund wanted to gift us anything back then.

"Not the coach, nor the players, nor the fans, otherwise it would have been a lot easier for us, but it wasn't.

"It's not the case that we don't need the points now."

Gisdol has therefore appealed to the officials not to be influenced by Klopp's remarks.

"We need a referee with a clear mind who will not be intimidated by the atmosphere which there will be there," he added.

Despite their current problems, Dortmund will not be where the currently are - at the foot of the table - when things matter in May, according to Gisdol.

"They're definitely still going to play a part in the battle for places in Europe," he said.

"I am absolutely convinced that they are a good team who are capable of winning 10 games in a row at any time.

"They're not going to go down. There's no chance. It's impossible."

Dortmund go into Friday night's game at the Westfalenstadion with just 11 points from their first 13 games of the season, although they are still only a point adrift of safety.

"I want to change this situation with everything I have," Klopp said. "At times of crisis, all that helps is hard work and maximum concentration."

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, could move up to third with a win on Friday.



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