Marco Reus' commitment has revived Borussia Dortmund, says Neven Subotic

Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic claims Marco Reus' decision to commit to the club revived the Bundesliga strugglers' form.

Despite qualifying for the Champions League's last 16 as group winners ahead of Arsenal, a dire series of results in the first half of the season left Dortmund bottom of Germany's Bundesliga at the start of the month.

But Jurgen Klopp's side have seen their form take a turn for the better following three straight wins which has helped them climb to mid-table as they prepare to take on Serie A leaders Juventus in the Champions League last 16, first-leg clash in Turin on Tuesday night.

The run coincides with Germany star Reus signing a contract extension on February 10 to keep him in Dortmund until 2019 after an injury-plagued year

News of Reus' signature ended weeks of speculation that another top player was poised to quit and the 25-year-old has shown excellent form by racking up three goals and an assist in each of Borussia's wins.

Boost

After stars Mario Goetze and Robert Lewandowski quit Dortmund for rivals Bayern Munich in recent years, Borussia's ability to hold onto a prize asset has boosted the squad, says Subotic.

"Everyone was very happy with his decision. I know I was, because he is a very special player," Subotic said.

Everyone was very happy with his decision. I know I was, because he is a very special player.

"It has given us a lift. We saw that in our win against Mainz when he produced a wonderful pass off the outside of his boot to [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang to score.

"It's always tough to see our best players go, which is what has happened in recent years.

"It's a big step for the club to be able to keep players like him."

After weeks of struggling for either league points or goals, Dortmund's attack has finally clicked with Reus, ex-Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Aubameyang in impressive form.

But Subotic admits it is hard to find a reason for the upturn in domestic fortunes.

"I can't really tell you what has changed, we have always tried to do the same things," he said.

"What really helped was that we had the winter break in January, when we could train as a team for a fortnight.

"Everyone got on the same page in terms of tactics and meant we can now play the football we want to.

"Before that, everyone was trying hard and running a lot, but more often running the wrong way and not doing the right thing.

"We had a lot of heart, but not much head, now we have both which makes the difference."

Focus

The Bundesliga is our priority, but these games don't come along very often and no-one has to worry about whether it will disturb our concentration for the next league match.

Having pulled clear of the German league's relegation places Dortmund coach Klopp says his side can now focus to the Champions League with clear heads.

"This is a totally different competition," Klopp told the club's official website.

"It will take a while before the situation in the Bundesliga changes much, so the pressure remains high there.

"The Champions League is something different. Juventus are multiple-time Italian champions and we aren't going there as favourites, but we want a good result out of the game.

"The Bundesliga is our priority, but these games don't come along very often and no one has to worry about whether it will disturb our concentration for the next league match."