Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus has played down his side's Europa League quarterfinal tie with former manager Jurgen Klopp.
Next Thursday, Klopp, who now manages Liverpool, is set for his first return to the Westfalenstadion with his new team after leaving Dortmund last summer.
Following a difficult term which saw BVB sneak into the Europa League ranks after hitting rock bottom earlier that season, the 48-year-old ended his successful seven-year spell at Dortmund and in October joined Liverpool.
Reus, 26, was one of the players who made a name for himself under the Klopp regime. In 2012, he returned to his hometown club from Borussia Monchengladbach, and was a key member of the team that reached the 2013 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
"We chuckled when we heard the news because it was clear the old coach will return home," Reus told Sport Bild. "But we directly said that it's not BVB versus Klopp, but rather Dortmund versus Liverpool. We accept the draw: staid, professional, and hungry for success. And that's how we prepare."
Borussia Dortmund have not lost a competitive match in 2016. They have won 13 of their 15 games, and were only held to goalless draws by Hertha Berlin and Bayern Munich. They have amassed 64 points in the Bundesliga, more than any other second-placed team in league history after 27 match days, but still trail leaders Bayern by five points.
However in 2016, BVB have reduced Bayern's lead at the top by three points, and could still end up winning their third title this decade. They also still have stakes in the German Cup and Europa League, where they have been named favourites to lift the trophy at the end of the season more than once.
Reus believes that Dortmund will need to show all their qualities to advance past Liverpool.
"Should we wane just a few percentage points then we'll be without a chance. They have a good team, and especially in attack they have great players."
Still, should Dortmund make it past Liverpool, Reus could still be in the race to win four trophies in 2016 -- three with BVB, and one with the national team, where he has become a permanent squad member again after missing the 2014 World Cup triumph with an ankle injury.
Despite playing in two German cup finals and a Champions League final, Reus has never won a big trophy in his career, and admitted that while it doesn't really "bother" him, he's "the first who wants to change it."
"I had the chance to win a few trophies in the past few years. But it just didn't work out. But right now all is running according to plan. But I also have to say: I am also happy without trophies. Football is an important part of my life, but not everything," he said.
When asked whether it would be more special to win one trophy with Dortmund than one with Bayern Munich, Reus replied: "For me, that is true. Yes. But it's not easy for us.
"When you play such an outstanding season like we did so far and still trail Bayern by five points then that's tough. Bayern just don't drop any points. But we still are the most constant team in 2016, that has been our goal."
Just over a year ago, Reus extended his contract at Dortmund despite interest from major clubs and BVB experiencing one of their worst seasons in recent history.
Reus said of the decision: "I opted for BVB because I need my regular environment where I feel at home. It has nothing to do that I am not able to handle the pressure or what is permanently speculated. We are also measured in wins and trophies here at Dortmund.
"Domestically, we just have the problems right now that Bayern constantly play on a level which we have not reached yet. But we want to get there, and we feel that we are absolutely capable of it."