BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp is set to make changes for Friday’s home clash with Hoffenheim, which he describes as a “High Noon” showdown with his side bottom of the Bundesliga.
Dortmund are enduring the worst start to a league season in their history.
Their 2-0 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt last Sunday was their eighth defeat in 13 league games to put them back on the bottom of the Bundesliga table.
But Klopp says his side must show their mettle and has threatened to make changes against seventh-placed Hoffenheim with Dortmund having claimed only 11 from a possible 39 points.
“Friday is our High Noon. We have to show what we are made of,” Klopp said.
“We are trying to find out in training who can withstand this situation and will make our selection accordingly.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to emerge stronger from the crisis, without having been divided during this difficult period.”
With Dortmund already through to the Champions League’s last 16 before Tuesday’s home match against Anderlecht, Klopp knows their problems come down to attitude.
In recent weeks Dortmund have lost to the likes of Hamburg, Cologne, Hanover 96 and Frankfurt, who Borussia would have comfortably beaten last season.
Poland winger Jakub Blaszczykowski and Dortmund captain Mats Hummels are set to return from a knee and sprained ankle injury respectively.
Klopp has been given a job guarantee by Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke until his contract expires in 2018.
The 47-year-old, who led Dortmund to the Bundesliga title in 2011 and 2012, as well as the 2013 Champions League final, has said he is ‘responsible’ for getting Borussia out of trouble.
