"A slap in the face" - Julian Brandt annoyed by Borussia Dortmund's performance against RB Leipzig

Julian Brandt was left irritated with Borussia Dortmund's performance against RB Leipzig, and lamented the way they allowed their opponents back into the game.

Borussia Dortmund suffered a huge blow to their hopes of finishing in the Bundesliga top four on Saturday as they were handed a 4-1 defeat by RB Leipzig. Despite taking the lead in the first-half, the Black and Yellows succumbed to the attacking pressure and intensity of Marco Rose's side, and they will now likely have to make do with a fifth place finish in the Bundesliga this season.

For Julian Brandt, Borussia Dortmund's performance at the Red Bull Arena was unacceptable. The playmaker said that BVB have played below their own standards this year, and must thank their lucky stars that they are still well placed to qualify for next season's Champions League.

"I feel like crap. To be honest, I'm extremely annoyed," Brandt told Sky Sport after the game. "We made too many mistakes. We invited Leipzig in. It felt like they had 45 chances to score. That's too many in a game against a direct rival. 4-1 is tough. It is a complete slap in the face for me. That's how it feels.”

"If things go the way they're going and we still qualify for the Champions League - we have to say thank God. We're clearly playing below our standards this year and that's a pill we have to swallow.”

Borussia Dortmund must lift themselves back up quickly, with the first leg of their Champions League semifinal tie against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon. Edin Terzic's side will host Kylian Mbappe and co. on Wednesday, and a good result would go a long win in both easing the pressure and boosting BVB's hopes of playing Champions League football next season.