Borussia Dortmund's sparkling Champions League run this season has seen them advance to the last eight but the underdogs' hunger for European recognition has yet to be stilled.
Their first quarter-final spot in 15 years was sealed on Tuesday with a 3-0 win over Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, giving them a 5-2 aggregate victory.
It was a return to the big time for a club that almost went bust less than a decade ago but has turned its fortunes around, becoming arguably the most entertaining team to watch in the tournament this season."Now that we have made the quarter-finals it is only normal to want to advance another step to the semis," said a beaming coach Juergen Klopp, who took over in 2008 and led them to domestic league titles in 2011 and 2012. "But obviously that is difficult to do."
Dortmund failed to get out of the group stages last year after years in the football wilderness, but they have been formidable second time around.
The 1997 European champions swept aside Ajax Amsterdam, Real Madrid and Manchester City at home to top their pool in the group stage. Their displays have been highly impressive but Klopp does not want to hear about his team suddenly being tipped for the trophy. "We have nothing to do with these estimations of being among the favourites," said Klopp.
{{/usCountry}}The 1997 European champions swept aside Ajax Amsterdam, Real Madrid and Manchester City at home to top their pool in the group stage. Their displays have been highly impressive but Klopp does not want to hear about his team suddenly being tipped for the trophy. "We have nothing to do with these estimations of being among the favourites," said Klopp.
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