Dortmund raise Europa League hopes thanks to Subotic and Durm

Borussia Dortmund kept up their pursuit of a place in the Europa League thanks to a 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin.

Neven Subotic and Erik Durm provided the goals which lifted the Westphalians to within two points of local rivals Schalke in sixth place.

A top-six finish is normally needed to secure a place in Europe next season, but seventh would also suffice even without the need to beat Wolfsburg in the DFB-Pokal final at the end of the month.

Coach Jurgen Klopp took his seat on the home team's bench at the Westfalenstadion for the penultimate time, although it was not long before he was up on his feet celebrating when Subotic headed his side in front, succeeding where Mats Hummels had failed only a few minutes before him with an unmarked header.

Klopp was almost on his feet again in the 15th minute when Henrikh Mkhitaryan dribbled his way past John Anthony Brooks before sending his shot just wide of the far post.

---

The Dortmund coach continued to stroll up and down the sideline to deliver his usual elaborate instructions as his side struggled to keep their early momentum going.

And they appeared to do the trick as Dortmund doubled their lead early in the second half. Mkhitaryan sent the ball out to Durm, who cut inside on to his left foot and curled his effort into the far corner before goalkeeper Thomas Kraft had the chance to react.

Shinji Kagawa shot straight at Kraft as Dortmund continued to waste good chances, Kevin Kampl following suit seconds later.

They had done enough damage for all three points, though, moving them above Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim into seventh.