Klopp laments “wild” 30 minutes that could cost Dortmund qualification

Borussia Dortmund manager Jürgen Klopp has cursed the ‘wild’ final 30 minutes in a narrow defeat to Arsenal that could see last season’s beaten finalists fail to progress from the group stages this season.

The German side sit three points behind co-leaders leaders Napoli and last night’s opponents, Arsenal. Despite dominating Arsene Wenger’s men for much of the game (56% possession and 15 shots compared to Arsenal’s 4) they could not break through Arsene Wenger’s resilient backline and were punished by a brutal counterattack that saw the ever-improving Aaron Ramsey add another goal to his growing tally for the season.

Speaking after the game, Klopp told Sky Sports: “They came [first] in, I think, the 60th minute. In front of our goal, and it was a goal.

“The game was decided because the last 30 minutes, it was wild and the time was running out. That’s what everybody could see.

“It’s not a good evening for us.”

The win leaves Dortmund needing to beat both Napoli and Marseille in their final two games, as their Italian rivals picked up maximum points from the 2 fixtures against Marseille to leave them level with Arsenal on nine points.

Although the former Mainz manager will be furious with the defeat to the Gunners, he will need to put it to the back of his mind as his squad prepare for what nor are crucial fixtures in the club’s short-term future.

His side, normally so ruthless in front of goal, were off colour all night when it came to converting the final ball and Klopp will have big decisions to make ahead of the game against Napoli that will arguably see the winner reach the knock-out stages.