Hans-Joachim, the chairman of the BVB board, has also traveled to Dubai. He had a good look at the local training sessions of the team and was full of praise about the facilities on show.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, what is your impression about the training camp?
Watzke: „it is really top and the quality for training is superb. But this is what we had expected. The weather is very pleasant. The pitch is super, everything is first class."

How do you like Dubai?

Watzke: „I have never been to Dubai before. It is very interesting. I am not really the type who stands in front of these huge imposing buildings and is impressed to the hilt. My favourite country is and will always be Italy."

How do you evaluate the first training sessions  of the team?

Watzke: „we didn't have that long a break, so not that much changed. Everything is good. It is important that we get focused again. We have to tell ourselves that we have not achieved anything yet. Our players have to know that we are starting from scratch again - even though we get inundated with praise every day."

The team really seems to be having a lot of fun…

Watzke: „there is more to football than to have fun in training. But they can do that  too. Everyone has to concentrate 100%, sometimes it is easier to say that to actually do in practice. 

What do you say that you have Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the African Footballer of the Year in the BVB team?

Watzke: „we are very proud, because it is an extraordinary award.  You can see how important this award is from the horrible comments made by Touré. Auba is exactly the type of player who has experienced a lot and now he has to make sure that he gets back to basics. You don't score goals from titles that you have won individually. I hope that he switches on now and goes into the second half of the season with full force. It is not so long until we start back again."

On Tuesday BVB plays Eintracht Frankfurt in a friendly match. Is this an indication of what to expect?

Watzke: „I would prefer a friendly match against Frankfurt than against a team of barefooted players from Cairo. We don't play them again until April, that is why it makes sense.