"Punch in the mouth": Brandt's plain language after Leipzig bankruptcy

After the heavy defeat at RB Leipzig, national team player Julian Brandt had strong words for Borussia Dortmund's performance. "That's a complete slap in the face for me. That's how it feels," said the 27-year-old. Brandt was one of the better Dortmund players in Saturday's well-deserved 4-1 defeat in Leipzig, who will not exactly have the wind at their backs going into the semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday (21:00/DAZN).

With a five-point deficit and only three games remaining, it is relatively unlikely that fifth-placed BVB will catch Leipzig, who are one place higher. Regular qualification for the Champions League via the Bundesliga would therefore not be possible.

Brandt's special year

However, the Bundesliga is almost guaranteed an additional starting place thanks to UEFA's annual ranking. Brandt therefore described it as a "special year". "When things are going the way they are and you can still qualify for the Champions League - you can really pray three times in the evening and say thank God," said the midfielder.

In the league, BVB only picked up five points against the top four this season. "We're clearly playing below our standards and you have to swallow that pill this year," said Brandt. Against Paris, Dortmund would have to "take the stadium with us, score goals, defend with everything". Brandt also wants to learn from the group stage, in which they lost in Paris and drew at home.

Dortmund can knock France out

BVB can do something against the French champions to ensure that Germany earns a fifth place in the top flight. A draw in both games would be enough to eliminate France from the race. Then they would only have to compete with England. "We've shown often enough that we can produce very, very good performances in this competition," said sporting director Sebastian Kehl.

The three German teams (BVB, Bayern Munich, Leverkusen) need to pick up a total of four points (two points per win, one point per draw, one point per progression) to secure the bonus place for the coming season. Munich will face Real Madrid in the Champions League. Champions Leverkusen face AS Roma in the Europa League.