Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp plans to shatter Bayern Munich's dreams of a treble-winning season in Tuesday's DFB-Pokal (German Cup) semi-final clash.
The 47-year-old brings Dortmund to Munich’s Allianz Arena for the last time as coach having announced he will quit at the end of the season after seven years in charge.
Klopp wants to bow out with one last title and only holders Bayern stand in the way of a German Cup Final appearance on May 30 at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.
In Wednesday’s other semi, third division leaders and cup giant-killers Arminia Bielefeld host Wolfsburg.
Having already beaten Bundesliga sides Hertha Berlin, Werder Bremen and Borussia Monchengladbach en route to the semis, Bielefeld are one game away a first cup final appearance.
But Dortmund-Bayern is the key tie with Pep Guardiola’s Bavarian club bidding to repeat their 2013 treble having already captured the league title on Sunday for the 25th time.
Bayern had planned to present Klopp with a bouquet before kick-off after his side won the 2011 and 2012 German league titles before finishing as runners-up to Bayern for the last two seasons.
But the 47-year-old is more interested in giving Bayern a proverbial black eye than picking up floral tribute.
“It’s a very nice gesture, but on Tuesday we’ll be spoiling for a fight and we don’t want to weaken ourselves with flowers,” said Klopp.
Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has spoken to Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and the presentation will now be done after the game.
“We are in the decisive phase of the season – and not in farewell mode,” said Watzke.
Rummenigge explained his reason for the flowers as he was presented with a bouquet in 1984 on his final appearance at Dortmund before his transfer from Bayern to Inter Milan.
“I have no problem with that and can understand where they are coming from,” said the Bayern principal.
“I respect that he doesn’t want to break the fighting spirit with flowers.”
The Allianz Arena semi is a repeat of both the 2012 and 2014 German Cup finals.
Dortmund routed Bayern 5-2 three years ago in Berlin when their Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick against his future employers.
Bayern gained revenge last season with a 2-0 extra-time win in Berlin thanks to goals by Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller.
Dortmund have lost home and away to Bayern in the league this season.
Bayern are hoping to welcome back Robben from injury on Tuesday, while Dortmund will have Australia goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak between the posts with Roman Weidenfeller out.
Their treble-chasing means Bayern are playing a game every three or four days and face Barcelona away in a much-anticipated Champions League semi-final on May 6.
But for now all focus is on Tuesday and Dortmund.
“We are extremely determined to reach,” the German Cup Final insisted Bayern’s director of sport Matthias Sammer.
“When you are in your rhythm, you have to use the momentum.
“Dortmund are just as up for it and we’ll have to put in a great performance.
“We definitely want to go to Berlin, which is always awesome, we want to experience it again.”
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
