Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the Champions League debut match against Brugge, the CEO of Borussia Dortmund Lars Ricken he also touched on the upcoming commitments with the other opponents drawn, including the Bologna by Vincenzo Italiano who according to the German manager deserves more than a mention.
“With Barcelona and Madrid we have some familiar opponents. Of course they will be important challenges. Also Brugge: small stadium, top of the table, they have won all of their last four games. They are also in good shape. It will be a big challenge for us, but in the end we will be ready. It was clear that things would be a bit difficult until the international break, because everyone only came together late. The game against Heidenheim showed a clear improvement. That’s why we are now going to Brugge with confidence. But Bologna and Zagreb are also challenges. In Zagreb the fans are very emotional, very passionate. You have to give your all in every game. In the end, every point can be decisive.”
Certainly Nuri Şahin’s gang, after the Champions League final played last season, intends to immediately jump to the top round of 16 or at least get through the play-offs without too many problems to continue in the tournament: “The primary objective is to reach the round of 16, in any way. If you average about two points per game, you are in the transition zone, eighth, ninth place. Then it depends on us. If we perform better, we will be there immediately. If not, we may have to make a detour. When you are in the round of 16, as last season showed, you cannot rule out anything.”