Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has called for one last push from his team before the winter break while praising them for their recent efforts.
The Westphalians have fallen 12 points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, who are not in action this weekend due to the Club World Cup, and Klopp wants his side to take this opportunity to reduce that gap.
At the same time, he hopes to get back to winning ways at home against Hertha Berlin, where Dortmund have already been beaten twice this season.
“It’s about time we celebrated three points in our own stadium,” Klopp said. “To get them, we’re going to have to throw everything into the mixer.”
Above all, Dortmund need to develop a killer touch in front of goal after “creating an incredible amount of chances” in their recent home games, including the 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.
Finding the right balance between attacking and defending is something else Klopp needs to concentrate on, particularly given Hertha’s “lightning fast counterattacking style.”
“They’re uncomfortable opponents,” Klopp said. “Our task will be to ensure that we’re even more uncomfortable than they are.”
The return of midfielder Ronny has helped Hertha in becoming so uncomfortable, although he may not feature against Dortmund given his well-documented fitness issues.
Meanwhile, Werder Bremen coach Robin Dutt is well aware of the precariousness of his side’s plight as he prepares to face his former club Bayer Leverkusen.
The northern German side find themselves once again in the midst of a relegation battle after picking up just one point from their last five Bundesliga matches.
That run includes a 7-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich, and only five points now separate them from the drop zone.
“I can read the league table,” said Dutt. “There are not that many clubs left behind us.”
