Klopp: Schalke-BVB is Bundesliga's biggest match

Klopp: Schalke-BVB is Bundesliga's 'most special' match

08-Mar-2013 9:14:00 PM

The BVB boss wants revenge for the 2-1 defeat to their Ruhr rivals in October and said the match is the German league's most special fixture

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has said his side's fixture against Schalke is the Bundesliga's "most special" match of the season.

Schalke defeated the defending champions on their own turf in October with goals from Ibrahim Afellay and Marco Hoger.

And Klopp, whose side lie second on 17 points behind Bayern Munich, is now eager to avoid a repeat defeat at Gelsenkirchen on Saturday.

"It remains the most special Bundesliga game of the year," Klopp told reporters.

"We don't want to deal with defeat for a second time. We didn't just lose the first game, we also played poorly. We had some selection worries and came up with some ideas that didn't work out."

Schalke have not beaten their city rivals at home since 2010 but Klopp says he is aware of their abilities.

"We are facing a really good Schalke team," he said, "and shouldn't allow their attackers too much space as they combine pace with technique."