Klopp: Kehl Cracker Was Beautiful

The coach has lauded his veteran midfielder for scoring a spectacular half-volley that earned Borussia Dortmund a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim at Signal Iduna Park

Jurgen Klopp has lauded Sebastian Kehl’s “beautiful” extra-time effort that sent Borussia Dortmund into the last four of the DFB-Pokal.

Hoffenheim goalscorers Kevin Volland and Roberto Firmino cancelled out Neven Subotic’s opener before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equaliser took the quarter-final tie beyond 90 minutes.

Veteran midfielder Kehl settled the tie with a stunning strike from outside the box – his third goal of the season – and his coach conceded he did not think the 35-year-old was still capable of such stunning strikes.

“We built up constant pressure and the result was a deserved outcome,” the BVB boss told reporters. “And then there was Kehl’s goal. Such a cracker of a goal today was really nice.

“I did not think he could still do that. It’s beautiful that he can be the hero today.

“It was a really intense game, in the second half I was especially pleased with our calm response to being behind. It was such a dramatic game; it went back and forth.”

Dortmund were rock-bottom of the Bundesliga earlier this year but a turnaround in form has seen them look more like the team which challenged at the top of the table over the past few years.

Considering injuries to major players and the weekend’s narrow defeat to Bayern Munich, Klopp stressed his relief at avoiding a cup exit as they attempt to salvage a season in which so much has gone wrong.

“After the Bayern loss and in light of the short-term losses of Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, the team showed a great reaction,” he added. “Reaching the semis is good for everyone at Signal Iduna Park.

“Wounds have been licked and now we await the weekend clash with Borussia Monchengladbach.”