Dortmund now not treating Europa League as ‘losers’ cup’ – Toprak

Omer Toprak is adamant Borussia Dortmund are now not viewing the Europa League as a « losers’ cup » as they repeat to atone for his or her Champions League disappointment.

Dortmund suffered an early exit within the continent’s premier membership competition, finishing zero.33 within the inspire of Tottenham and Real Madrid in Group H with proper two points from their six matches.

zero.33 within the Bundesliga, trailing leaders Bayern Munich by 19 points, and out of the DFB-Pokal, the Europa League represents Dortmund’s fully realistic hope of silverware this season.

They host Atalanta within the foremost leg of the spherical-of-32 on Thursday, and defender Toprak insists Dortmund are highly motivated to achieve the final in Lyon on May perchance well moreover 16.

« We don’t sight the Europa League as a « losers’ cup » have to you sight the opponents on this competition, » he said at a media conference.

« We’re desirous to expose that we’re Dortmund and are desirous to walk to Lyon. »

May perchance well moreover soundless they defeat Atalanta, Dortmund’s path to the showpiece seems to be to be location to be a tense one, with the likes of Atletico Madrid, Napoli and RB Leipzig losing into the competition from the Champions League and joining the likes of Arsenal, AC Milan and Marseille within the map.

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— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) February Thirteen, 2018

But coach Peter Stoger is now not having a survey beyond their immediate opponents, who executed top of Group E earlier than Lyon and Everton, thrashing the Premier League aspect 5-1 at Goodison Park, and are eighth in Serie A.

« Atalanta are completely organised. They develop the midfield tight, » Stoger said. « Atalanta could perchance perhaps moreover now not be a immense title in Germany but they’ve showed that they’ll defeat immense teams.

« I continuously maintain mountainous appreciate for teams which could perchance perhaps perhaps be effectively organised and struggle as a unit.

« All of us saved the date [for the final]. No matter the mountainous opposition, you shall be in a position to continuously shall be found two games. »

Forward Marco Reus made his first look of the season in Saturday’s 2-zero rep over Hamburg having recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in remaining season’s Pokal final.

Asked about Reus’ condition, Stoger answered: « Marco Reus makes a proper impact. He seems to be to be deal with he is feeling effectively and in general procedure that he can play. »