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Dortmund logo
Bundesliga
May 23, 2015 at 2.30pm UK
 
Werder Bremen logo

3-2

Kagawa (15'), Aubameyang (17'), Mkhitaryan (42')
FT(HT: 3-1)

Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs. Werder Bremen

Sports Mole takes a look at both sides as Jurgen Klopp prepares for his final Bundesliga game with Borussia Dortmund, who host Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Borussia Dortmund's supporters are preparing for an emotional day as Jurgen Klopp heads into his final match at Signal Iduna Park this weekend.

Werder Bremen are looking to spoil the party for the hosts on the final day of the Bundesliga season as the two sides enter the game level on points in the table.


Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund's head coach Jurgen Klopp reacts after the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs SC Paderborn in Dortmund, western Germany, on April 18, 2015© Getty Images

Seven years ago Klopp arrived at Dortmund, and very few could have predicted then just how much success he would enjoy as he led the club back to the top of the sport in Germany and turned them into one of the most feared sides in Europe.

Klopp's spell in charge has been filled with highs, but even he will admit that fighting to finish in the top six is not how he would have liked to end his time with the club.

However, their troubles earlier in the season mean the best Dortmund can hope for is to leapfrog Augsburg on the final day of the campaign, but they will also be keen to avoid a defeat which would see Bremen move ahead of them.

Emotions are likely to take over on Saturday as the club's loyal supporters prepare to bid farewell before Klopp switches his focus to next week's DFB-Pokal final against Wolfsburg in Berlin.

A winning finish to his spell at Signal Iduna Park is certain to be on Klopp's mind, but he will be desperate to leave the club with one final success in the cup competition before handing over to Thomas Tuchel, whose job to take Dortmund back to the Champions League looks to be a tough one.

Keeping Mats Hummels and Marco Reus now seems a realistic possibility this summer, and with the future starting to look bright once again, the pressure is on the players to deliver another win for Klopp in front of their home fans.

Recent form: LWWDWL
Recent form (all competitions): WWWDWL


Werder Bremen

Bremen's midfielder Felix Kroos (L) and Bremen's striker Davie Selke celebrate after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match against Wolfsburg on March 1, 2015© Getty Images

Dortmund may head into the final day of the season favourites to collect the points needed to beat Augsburg to Europa League qualification, but Bremen will be desperate to keep their own bid alive with victory this weekend.

A victory this weekend would allow Bremen to clinch seventh spot, and they will then have to hope Wolfsburg win the DFB-Pokal against Dortmund to ensure that finish is enough to earn them a place in the competition.

Much like Dortmund, qualifying for Europe looked unrealistic for Bremen earlier in the season as they struggled to pull clear of the relegation zone for long spells of the campaign.

A superb turnaround either side of the New Year moved them further up the table, but inconsistent performances have returned to ruin their chances of claiming a top-six finish.

However, Viktor Skrypnyk will be happy with the start he has made at the club after replacing Robin Dutt in October, and improving on last season's 12th-place effort should give the supporters confidence heading into the summer.

Recent form: LWDWDL


Team News

Bayern Munich's Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso and Dortmund's striker Marco Reus (R) vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, western Germany, on April 4, 2015© Getty Images

Klopp's eagerness to snatch Europa League qualification before next weekend's final means that Reus is likely to return to the starting lineup following his recent problems with an adductor injury.

Hummels and Sven Bender are back in full training after recovering from knocks, while the Dortmund boss confirmed that Roman Weidenfeller will replace Mitchell Langerak in goal.

Experienced midfielder Sebastian Kehl is also saying goodbye to Signal Iduna Park on Saturday as he prepares for retirement, and he should start alongside Ilkay Gundogan in the centre of midfield.

Skrypnyk is likely to respond to last weekend's 2-0 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach by making changes, with both Izet Hajrovic and Marnon-Thomas Busch pushing for recalls.

However, the visitors are likely to stick with Franco Di Santo and Davie Selke in attack as they go in search of the victory they need to keep their Europa League bid alive.

Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Weidenfeller, Schmelzer, Hummels, Subotic, Durm, Kehl, Gundogan, Reus, Mkhitaryan, Kagawa, Aubameyang

Bremen possible starting lineup:
Casteels, Gebre Selassie, Prodl, Sternberg, Vestergaard, Bargfrede, Hajrovic, Bartels, Junuzovic, Di Santo, Selke


Head To Head

Selke and Fin Bartels clinched a 2-1 win for Bremen in the reverse fixture back in December to end a run of six successive defeats against Dortmund.

Dortmund's home record against Saturday's opposition is even better, with Bremen's last victory at Signal Iduna Park coming when Miroslav Klose and Diego scored in a 2-0 triumph in April 2007.


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We say: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Werder Bremen

Nothing has been straightforward for Dortmund this season, but the eagerness to give Klopp something to celebrate in his final Bundesliga game in charge is likely to motivate the players and supporters. Bremen need to get onto the front foot, and an open game should suit the hosts.



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Dortmund's head coach Jurgen Klopp reacts after the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs SC Paderborn in Dortmund, western Germany, on April 18, 2015
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