Klopp keen on cup glory for Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund head coach Juergen Klopp says the DFB Pokal could be his team’s best chance of winning a trophy this season.

Dortmund face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, a side they defeated in the final of last year’s cup, as Klopp’s team claimed a double of the Bundesliga title and DFP Pokal.

However, it is Bayern who are the form team in 2012/13, and they lead Dortmund by 17 points in the league standings, prompting Klopp to hail his opponents’ achievements to date.

“I think Bayern have shown a lot of strength in depth this season and have really backed their coach,” Klopp said.

“They showed very good reactions to everything that has happened to them throughout the campaign. They are able to rotate their starting line-up (without) losing any quality, so their players are able to have a break.

“I would say that so far it has been a perfect season for Bayern Munich.

“However, we have ambitions in this competition and in every match we play.

“We always go out to win matches and this cup is a good chance for us to take a trophy.

“We are not here just to make up the numbers, it’s a cup game and we want to make it to the next round and it is our best chance to win a trophy.”

Dortmund will welcome back influential striker Robert Lewandowski from suspension for the match at the Allianz Arena.

According to Klopp, the Poland international is focused on the game, not the transfer rumours linking him with a switch to Bayern.

“I don’t care what, where and when the agents of Robert Lewandowski talk about his future plans,” the Dortmund coach said.

“I know Robert’s opinion about playing football and being a football player. At the moment I know he is only focused on Dortmund.

“There are not a lot of new things that people can tell me about his plans as I don’t think there is any new news.

“In reference to his form, we will see. He was fantastic before the suspension. But it’s a tough task for a player to keep up their momentum when they are suspended as they aren’t able to play the matches.

“He trained with the reserve team in the morning and everything went well, so I think he is rested and full of energy. We will be very happy to have him back on the pitch for us.”