Dortmund coach Klopp eager to thrill again

The UEFA Champions League has been a welcome break from domestic troubles for Borussia Dortmund this season. Bottom of the Bundesliga at the start of February before their round of 16 first leg against Juventus, BVB have made a timely return to form to move clear of the bottom three.

Ahead of Wednesday's return match in Germany against the Italian champions, Jürgen Klopp – Dortmund coach since 2008 – reveals the coolest thing about his club and pays tribute to the coaches who shaped his career.

UEFA.com: 'Play, fun, thrill' is how you've described your team's style. Can we expect more of the same in the Juventus second leg?

Jürgen Klopp: I don't know if it needs to be exciting until the end, but if it gets dramatic, that means we are still in the race at that point – and that would be positive.

UEFA.com: Dortmund have won 11 of their last 14 UEFA Champions League home games. Why is the BVB stadium such a difficult place to visit?

Klopp: It's a special venue which demands special moments. It's really the coolest thing about the club. I have been here a while now, and still every time you enter the ground you get goosebumps.

UEFA.com: When BVB were struggling in the first half of the season, did you ever doubt yourself and your system?

Klopp: Well, it's OK to ask questions [of yourself], but not to put our system into question. It's not as dogmatic as it may seem: the players are not told to give the ball to the opposition so we have a chance to win it back – that's just nonsense. Even in the first part of the season there were a few good games, and we gained some confidence in the Champions League by winning matches. So we are not like a rabbit in the headlights, just standing there, shivering, unable to perform.

UEFA.com: Do you feel you have changed or developed since you've been here?

Klopp: Unfortunately visually of course, I've developed dramatically. But that's part of life. I have watched a few thousand more games, not only the ones I've been involved in but other matches too. That has made me a better coach and we [the training staff] have certainly improved.

UEFA.com: How crucial is Marco Reus to your side and the system you play?

Klopp: Just how important he is, you could see from the extension of his contract [last month]. With such a top player, and with our history [financially], you would think a player of his calibre would leave the club at some point. But even though the whole world wanted him, he said: "I'm staying here." I think that was an extraordinary act at such a young age and not normal, so that's why I think he is a great player and a great lad.

UEFA.com: Shinji Kagawa – how important is he to BVB?

Klopp: He is someone who moves so well in the most difficult areas of the pitch, between the two lines of four. It's like he is the sausage in a sandwich, because players are coming from all sides.

UEFA.com: Which coaches have influenced your style of management?

Klopp: Very easy: Walter Baur, my youth coach [during Klopp's playing days] at [seventh-tier] TuS Ergenzingen deserves to be mentioned. Then, definitely Wolfgang Frank, who did great work [when Klopp was playing] at 1. FSV Mainz 05. Maybe I could name my dad too – he used the little time that he had to play sports with his boy. And it's thanks to him that I love this game.