“It is justified. We have to deliver on the pitch and have let ourselves down too often,” Emre Can told reporters Monday after chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke was “disappointed beyond measure” by Dortmund’s performance in Saturday’s 2-1 home Bundesliga defeat by Frankfurt.
The result was a severe set back for Dortmund, who are now seven points from next season’s Champions League places and are at risk of missing out on qualifying for the first time in six years.
Dortmund defender Can said it is down to the players to show a reaction at the Etihad Stadium against Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders with the return leg in Dortmund on April 14.
“We can do better and we will, tomorrow is a good day to show a reaction,” Can insisted.
“We definitely have to be brave and try to move the ball well.”