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Spurs can go and win in Dortmund, insists Wimmer

Kevin Wimmer is relishing Tottenham's European tie in Dortmund Archant

Tottenham defender Kevin Wimmer is relishing the opportunity to return to Germany and face Borussia Dortmund on Thursday night – and he believes the Europa League tie will give Spurs a good idea where they stand on the continent.

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The Austrian joined the Lilywhites from Bundesliga outfit Cologne last summer, and he admits he was keen to face Dortmund – who were Champions League finalists under Jurgen Klopp in 2013 – or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.

“I was looking forward to playing against a German team and I think it’s a very attractive team, a very strong team,” Wimmer told Ham&High Sport. “With Bayern Munich, they are the best team in Germany and I think we’re all looking forward to this game, and it’s also a big opportunity for us.

“At the moment we have a very strong team and of course we want to win there in Dortmund. It’s not going to be easy but I think we have the team to do it.

“Last season [with Cologne] we drew 0-0 away against them and we won 2-1 at home – if we could do that again this time it would be very nice!

“There are so many good teams in the Europa League now, it’s a very attractive competition. It’s not going to be very easy because I think Dortmund is also one of the strongest teams in the Europa League, but it’s good to play against teams like this and we can see where we are at the moment.”

Tottenham go into their Europa League tie ruing their inability to beat 10-man Arsenal in Saturday’s north London derby at White Hart Lane.

The Gunners had a numerical disadvantage from the 56th minute onwards after Francis Coquelin’s dismissal and Spurs then took a 2-1 lead after striking in the 60th and 62nd minutes – only to concede an equaliser as Alexis Sanchez netted 14 minutes from time.

“Of course it’s a little bit disappointing because I think over the 90 minutes we were the better team,” said Wimmer. “We had more clear chances and at 2-1, with 11 against 10 men, we should have won the game.

“But of course Arsenal are a very strong team and at least it’s one point for us. We have nine [league] games left and if we continue playing like this maybe there’s still something possible this season.”

Wimmer made a key contribution in the final minutes of Saturday’s showdown, making a crucial sliding tackle to stop Aaron Ramsey scoring a likely winner.

“Of course I think it was important to save the point so we didn’t lose the game,” said Wimmer. “It was very important for us, for the team, and also for the fans.

“Normally we have to win this game but in the end, now, we have to be satisfied with the point and we have to keep going.

“We know there are a lot of difficult games coming up for us in the next few weeks and if we keep it up like that performance, I’m sure we’ll soon get back to winning ways.”