Jürgen Klopp spoke to the media on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of Borussia Dortmund's game against Hoffenheim this weekend.

"The game in Frankfurt didn't make us realise we were in a relegation battle. We've long understood what we're involved in."

"Shock was there, but it's a few days ago, thankfully." commented Klopp, with Borussia Dortmund currently bottom of the Bundesliga table. Though, the enigmatic coach wasn't too down-beat, "We've got to learn not to get down about our mistakes, instead stay calm and keep playing football," he said, "It's a little tough at the moment, and we've got to be ready for that. I am!"

Hoffenheim will travel to the Westfalenstadion on Friday evening, with Klopp eluding the the game's importance, "Friday evening is high noon." The side from Sinsheim picked up a very eventful 4-3 win over Hannover on Saturday, taking a 2-0 lead into half-time. He is keen to avoid going behind early, sighting that as one of the reasons for the poor form, "Too often we've gone behind in games, and that's why we've lost a lot of games. Our manner when we're losing isn't good."

"You don't win games 7-0 in relegation battles. You take your chances when they come to you. We have to accept mistakes. I know how a relegation battle works and how a team has to think in order to get out of it." Klopp, of course, has fought relegation while at Mainz and went down in 2006-07. The former Carnival club boss has bounced back to become one of the world's most highly sought-after coaches. There has been acknowledgement from the man himself that this is one of the toughest times he has gone through, "Working and dealing with problems makes you better. I have rarely had to deal with as many as I have at the moment."

"We've got to see in training who is ready to take on this challenge and then I'll pick the team.  At some point, we'll be able to say that we grew closer together during this time," as Klopp took a positive outlook on things. "Many are still hopeful and confident - that's exceptional. The club continues to grow during this time. I don't need a vote of confidence, I've had it a thousand times before. The team needs it now." Markus Gisdol's side are currently in seventh, and will be looking to capitalise on their host's poor form, in their quest to achieve European football

Quotes via DW Sports.

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Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]