Kobel emphasises top-four importance ahead of Leipzig clash

Speaking to Sky Germany during Borussia Dortmund’s public training session, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel emphasised the importance of his side qualifying for next season’s Champions League through a top four finish.

Sunday afternoon’s 1-1 draw at home to Bayer Leverkusen did not do Borussia Dortmund any favours in regards to their Champions League fight with RB Leipzig.

BVB fell victim to another late hammer blow from the champions, when Bayern loanee Josip Stanisic headed home from a Florian Wirtz corner in the 97th minute, cancelling out Niclas Füllkrug’s opener.

Despite last week’s European exploits giving Germany a huge boost in terms of a potential fifth-placed birth into next year’s competition, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel emphasised the importance of making the top four. 

When speaking to Sky Germany, Kobel highlighted the fact that “Top four is a must”, as the final few matchdays draw closer.

“It’s very important for us to give 100 percent effort to secure fourth in the league. As long as nothing is achieved yet, we can’t relax. We have to keep going full throttle with focus”.

Dortmund currently sit fifth, two points away from fourth-placed RB Leipzig with the sides set to meet at the Red Bull Arena this coming Saturday in an encounter that is set to be a straight shootout for fourth place.