Klopp not fussed by Champions League opponents

Borussia Dortmund manager Juergen Klopp has no preferences as to who his side meets in the Champions League semi-finals.

The 1997 champions advanced through to the final four for the first time in 15 years after a dramatic 3-2 aggregate win over Malaga in the quarter-finals.

Dortmund will face either newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Barcelona for a spot in next month’s final at Wembley.

But speaking ahead of the semi-final draw in Nyon on Friday, Klopp says he isn’t bothered about the identity of Dortmund’s next opponents.

“Currently we are the desired opponents for other clubs, so I don’t really care,” the German tactician said.

“Obviously we want to reach the final, against of the teams we end up playing. Other teams have said who they want to play.

“But I think it’s great that we are wishless so to speak, in fact we’re wishlessly happy.”

Bayern president Uli Hoeness has already added fuel to the fire before Friday’s draw, saying the club’s best chance to reach their second successive Champions League final would be to play rivals Dortmund.

And Klopp puts those comments down to self-confidence, having already claimed the Bundesliga title with six games to spare and beaten Serie A champions Juventus 4-0 in the quarter-finals.

“After the Bundesliga season and how they played against Juventus it is logical that they are so self confident,” he said.

“They played in the final last year, so their aim is a logical one. I am very grateful, if I get an invitation from the opponents.”

Klopp, meanwhile, said Dortmund need to focus on their last five games in the Bundesliga despite the excitement surrounding Tuesday’s triumph, with a trip to bottom side Greuther Fuerth coming up on Saturday.

“The mood in Furth has probably been different after they realised that they probably will be relegated this season,” he added.

“They’ll play without any pressure and we have to keep this in mind. It will be a difficult task.”