Borussia Dortmund go into the final stage of the season in third place. "We want to resolve these six games as optimally as possible," announced Peter Stöger ahead of the home game against VfB Stuttgart.

It goes without saying that it wasn't a normal week for the Black & Yellows. "On the one hand we've had a 6-0 defeat to process," said Stöger, "but on the other we've had league matches that haven't been so unsuccessful." The latter category includes two home wins over Frankfurt (3-2) and Hannover (1-0), with both at times delivering fast-paced football and the former ending dramatically as BVB grabbed two stoppage-time goals to snatch a last-minute win.

Marco Reus and Ömer Toprak will return to the squad after overcoming their respective injury problems. "We'll make a late call as to whether they can start the game," said the coach, who also used the week of training "to highlight some things that have worked extremely well". A club that was unbeaten 12 games in a row prior to losing 6-0 cannot have got too much wrong. "We've dealt with important matches well. And we'll manage it on Sunday as well," declared Stöger, who continued. "We'll approach the matches in such a way that we achieve the objectives."

Now the Black & Yellows are set to square off against one of the Bundesliga's in-form teams: a VfB Stuttgart side unbeaten in eight matches: "It's not an easy task. They're in a good phase, having a good run." The coach is expecting the Swabians to take a flexible tactical approach with two tight banks of four and the option "of switching to a back five".

For Stöger, the development at VfB "brings me joy as a coach". But the many words of praise directed at Tayfun Korkut were followed by a clear message: "It'll be down to business on Sunday, Tayfun!"
Boris Rupert