Berlin (dpa) – Borussia Dortmund have a better chance to win the
German cup and the Europa League, despite an upcoming duel with the
Liverpool team led by their former coach Juergen Klopp, than the
Bundesliga, according to captain Mats Hummels.
Hummels told the website of the German Football Federation (DFB) in
an interview published Thursday night that «we are playing at the
level of champions. But Bayern (Munich) have had fewer weaknesses
this season.»
The 2011 and 2012 champions Dortmund lie second in the league, five
points behind Munich, with Hummels lamenting seven dropped points
during a three-game hiccup in autumn.
Dortmund are in the German cup semis, in which they visit Hertha
Berlin, and in the Europa League quarters where they next month face
Liverpool and Klopp, who was in charge at Dortmund between 2008 and
2015.
«It is no secret that playing against a Juergen Klopp team will have
a special touch,» the 2014 World Cup winner Hummels said.
«The chances to win titles are definitely bigger for us in the cup
competitions than the championships.»
Defender Hummels is currently with the German national team for Euro
2016 tune-up games against England and Italy and hopes for good
results to boost morale for the summer tournament in France.
«It is important, for your own feeling. You don’t win the Euros in
spring but we nonetheless want to play well and be successful,»
Hummels said.
