Interview
„The team has welcomed me in a great way“
Two young players who took part in The EURO, were at the top table on Saturday: new signing Raphael Guerreiro, who has joined BVB as a newly crowned European Champion and also Julian Weigl.
Raphael Guerreiro on the EURO and winning the title with Portugal:
„Portugal has been waiting for a major title for decades. Everyone was very happy when we returned home. We noticed how important this was for the whole country."
... on his first impressions of Dortmund and everything around BVB
„The team has welcomed me in a great way. I try to speak English, French or a bit of Spanish with my team mates. I am happy that I am getting German lessons and I hope that I will learn the language quickly."
... on his transfer to BVB:
„The talks took place before the EURO and I made up my mind quite quickly to join Borussia Dortmund. I look up to Marcel Schmelzer and want to learn from him. The Head Coach makes the decision on who is going to play."
... on other positions as another option:
„I have spoken to the Head Coach about various possibilities. That this turned out like this yesterday surprised me too. I want to give my best when I am on the pitch."
„We have been really good in the way we have strengthened the squad“
Julian Weigl on the EURO in France:
„It was a surprise that I jumped on the bandwagon and I was really happy about being able to be part of the squad and I didn't make any demands. I wanted to take in impressions and to be there when I was needed. It turned out that it was only for training, but I was able to learn a lot from this. This experience is good for my future, even though I would have liked to have gotten just a few minutes on the pitch."
... on the new signings in the BVB squad:
„The first impressions are very good. Everyone brings a new freshness to the team. Everyone is trying to integrate very quickly. On a human level the new lads are top class and at a sporting level you can see real quality in all of them. We have strengthened the squad really well. Our management has managed to get some really super new players yet again, who don't just fit in on a sporting level but also on a human level."
... on his future role in the team:
„I played a lot of games last season in a central position, where you have to be very vocal. I think that I can be an important link between the young players and the others. I have been here for a year now and need to show that I am up to my performances of last year. Last year I could really go for it and had nothing to lose. Everyone knows that it is my game to get a lot of the ball and to help build up play. I want to develop even more, to try and place that deadly pass and not just go for the easy option." Summary byBoris Rupert