Kevin Grosskreutz praises Borussia Dortmund fans

Kevin Grosskreutz has paid tribute to the Borussia Dortmund supporters after the club climbed off the bottom of the Bundesliga table with a 1-0 victory over Hoffenheim.

A frustrating run of form saw Jurgen Klopp and his players criticised in the German press in recent weeks, and Grosskreutz was keen to praise the fans for the role they played in Friday's win.

"I'm delighted - the team and the whole city of Dortmund deserved this," the German defender told the official Bundesliga website. "The way we were so united with the fans was amazing. It was fight, passion and heart and that was all that mattered today.

"Thanks to the fans for their support - you only get that in Dortmund. We're all a team, even in bad times, and we've proven that today.

"It's been a hard time for all of us and it's a new situation for us. I think we had a game before against Gladbach and people were saying we'd turned the corner then, so we've got to keep things in perspective."

Dortmund will meet Anderlecht in the Champions League on Tuesday night, before looking to build on their latest win in the Bundesliga when they visit Hertha Berlin next Saturday.