Klopp questions futures of Gomez, Robben

Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp retaliated to questions over Robert Lewandowski’s future at the club.

Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp retaliated to questions over Robert Lewandowski’s future at the club.

Klopp suggested star players at potential suitors Bayern Munich will not accept a reduction in first-team action.

Arjen Robben’s goal booked Bayern a spot in the DFB Pokal semi-finals at the expense of Dortmund on Wednesday.

When asked if Lewandowski would be plying his trade at the Allianz Arena more regularly, Klopp hit back angrily.

“I’d be more interested in where Gomez and Robben will be playing next season,” Klopp told ARD in the wake of the defeat.

“I do not think they will take another year (on the bench) like this. Maybe that is more interesting instead of always talking about Lewandowski.”

After a disappointing first-half display, Dortmund showed more of the form that saw them win the competition last season.

However, they were unable to find a breakthrough and Klopp said his team should have done more.

“It was a very intense game. In the first half we showed little of what we wanted to show. The second half was better and you have to play well for 90 minutes to beat Bayern,” he said.

“I did not see 17 points difference today. We should have caused Bayern more problems during the first half and that is what we have to be angry with ourselves about.

“But the difference was not big. We will come here again, and we will be able to win matches here again.”

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes was pleased with the way his side ‘stood up’ to Borussia Dortmund.

“We played well, aggressively, and we stood up to an opponent who played aggressively against us,” Heynckes told ARD.

“We had games like this in Mainz and Wolfsburg where the opponent really fought, and it is a sign of quality that my team wins these matches.”

Bayern defender Daniel Van Buyten was delighted by the victory and said it was one the fans would enjoy.

“Our supporters were very pleased. Dortmund has won here and at home several times against us,” he said.

“So everyone was wanting to win against them. Especially in the manner we did it, to play well and harm them in the way we play. It was a nice evening for all Bayern supporters and players.”

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger added: “We knew that there would be some heavy tackles, Dortmund is a very aggressive team.

“We knew that before the game and showed what we are capable of.”