Klopp calls for Hoffenheim scrutiny

Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp has called on the referee to keep an eye on Hoffenheim when the two teams play on Sunday.

Despite Dortmund’s success in the past two seasons, Klopp’s team have only beaten Hoffenheim once in their past five meeting.

This weekend’s game will pit third from top versus third from bottom but Klopp is wary of Hoffenheim and has demanded the referee be strict on Dortmund’s hosts.

“I have to say that according to the recent year it would be OK to have a very strict referee against Hoffenheim,” Klopp said.

“I don’t know who’s blowing the whistle but they played very hard in the last years against us.

“I don’t have anything against a physical game but shouldn’t be inordinately (violent).

“I think there is a high pressure in Hoffenheim, so I would be good to have a strict referee.

“Anyway we always have the feeling that we have a score to settle with them and we would like to do that on Sunday.”

Hoffenheim have the worst defensive record in the Bundesliga but sit above Augsburg and Greuther Furth in the relegation play-off position.

After five defeats on the trot, Hoffenheim desperately need points to try and bridge the gap to 15th-placed Fortuna Dusseldorf.

But despite Hoffenheim’s desperate position, Klopp does not think the hosts will simply defend at Wirsol Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

“I don’t think they will build a wall in front of their goal but the better we play the more defence will be our challenge,” Klopp said.

“So I hope they will be very defensive at a certain point, because it means we play well.

“We just need to grab our chances then.”