Marcel Schmelzer spoke about the squad’s “extreme upheaval” after three notable departures and six promising incoming players, one of which, Ousmane Dembelé, “hugely impressed” him in a video. The experienced defender expects “difficult and intense pre-season training” but also said “the trick is to pick up where we left off”.

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Marcel Schmelzer on the changes to the squad:

“Last year was also a huge change for us as we got a new Manager. But it’s even more different when three players decide to leave us. I was surprised that Miki decided to change clubs. We have to accept the decision. We now have to find three permanent replacements and have signed some new players. Therefore I think our pre-season training will be difficult and intense. Luckily our pre-season schedule is very long. We have to quickly integrate the new players. It is a huge squad makeover. The trick is pick up where we left off as a team, Mats and Miki cannot be replaced like-for-like. Personally I’m looking forward to our preparations and to the season.

... on the new arrivals to the squad:

“We added a huge amount of quality to the squad with our new arrivals. In the new few weeks it’ll be all about bringing this through onto the pitch. In our long pre-season training with three training camps we have enough time to integrate our new players in order for them to get to grips with everything. They saw our football last year and they decided that they wanted to be a part of it.

... on his role at BVB:

It is understandable that over the years you grow into a leading role at a club. Part of this responsibility is also in helping new players. I speak internally with the team advisors about the most important things. Whoever ends up as captain isn’t important. It has to be someone at the end of the day – it’s the Manager that makes that call”.

... on the targets for the 2016/17 season: 

“We have lost 3 important players. It would therefore be overconfident for us to say that we want to take on Bayern this season. Leverkusen have also considerably strengthened, which is another reason for us to be wary as we look behind us. Our target is to be playing in the Champions League once more next season, so to ensure a top three finish.

... on Julian Weigl and his opportunities at the European Championships: 

“I’m really pleased that people are wondering whether he might be put into the starting line-up from the get-go. Jule is a guy with so much self-confidence that it wouldn’t faze him at all that it is the semi-finals of the European Championships – just as little as it fazed him to come to Borussia Dortmund from the second tier of German football and get to grips with it. He’ll manage with the National team as well.

Report by Boris Rupert