Jurgen Klopp joked of Borussia Dortmund’s ability to make every game exciting ‘one way or another’, after eliminated Real Madrid from Europe.
The Germans conceded two late goals to Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos to set up a frantic end to the second leg of this Champions League semi-final, before they held on for the aggregate 4-3 win.
“It was a bit dramatic in the end, despite the fact we had a lot of counterattacks that led to opportunities to take the lead,” commented Klopp at full-time.
“We knew that Madrid would take an aggressive approach and we managed to calm things down after 20–25 minutes, but we definitely have ourselves to blame for allowing Madrid back into the game as we missed a couple of sitters.
“Dortmund apparently are an all-inclusive club, so we always make things exciting, one way or another.
“The 90 minutes felt quite long today, we played well at times but unfortunately not for the entire game. Obviously Madrid are capable of playing quality football of their own.
“They had a lot to make up for after the first leg, but in the end we deserved to go through on aggregate. We deserve to be in the final.”
This is Dortmund’s first defeat in the competition this season.
“We knew that a team like us required a certain amount of luck to reach the final. That was the case against Malaga and also today.
“It wouldn't have been necessary if we had used one of our chances though. It's an extraordinary achievement nonetheless.
“We play Bayern at the weekend, but we also have a day's more rest than them, so I won't deny the team that chance to go out and celebrate. Nuri [Sahin] apparently knows his way around Madrid, or so I've heard.
“I'll stay in the hotel and have a few beers there. The players deserve to have a little time off after a game like this.
“Perhaps it won't be ideal in terms of the Bayern game at the weekend, as they might give us a bit of a thumping, but that would be the most pleasant defeat against Bayern that we could ever experience.
“I'll definitely not deny the players’ celebrations – what kind of muppet would I be if I did?”
Klopp was asked of Jose Mourinho’s assertion that the referee should have sent of Mats Hummels for a last-man foul on Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I don’t want to talk about the referee. There were mistakes made with Lewandowski and often those challenges would have been booked.
“Sergio Ramos should have received seven yellow cards. I did not see the Hummels challenge. I take from the game that this young Dortmund side has made history.”
