Jurgen Klopp believes that Borussia Dortmund are ‘the fourth team’ in the Champions League, but that they could still win it.
The Germans head into their semi-final first leg at home to Real Madrid this Wednesday evening with their Coach looking to ease the pressure, if also maintain the confidence for the only unbeaten side left in the competition.
“How am I not going to smile if I am so lucky? I'd like to point out that I am not always smiling, but yes, I am happy,” reflected Klopp to Marca this week.
“I have a good job, I'm at a great club, I have fantastic players and a fantastic coaching team.
“At the end of the day football is only a game, and I can't turn something so nice into a big drama. You can lose, or you can win.
“Real Madrid will not make us change our style of play; we shall be going out there to enjoy ourselves.
“And it is true to say that they are much more than a side which plays to the counterattack, there is a lot of quality there.
“In these semi-finals there are three favourites – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern. Just like last year. We are the fourth team in this semi-final, like Chelsea last season. And who won? Chelsea. I rest my case.
“For us, to win the Champions League would be fabulous, something incredible, something historic. That's the way I try to motivate the boys.
“These are going to be two very even matches. We have the memory of what happened in the first stage, but things have changed since then.
“Real Madrid looks to be stronger to me now.”