„The Supercup is a special game“

Thomas Tuchel on the match that comes right in the middle of their preparations:
„I am in two  minds. It is more than just a preparation match and more than just a game en route to the first round of the DFB Cup. It is a competitive match, a final that we have earned the right to be in, because we had to play well to qualify for this game. The opponent and the challenge involved make this a special game. However our preparations are not geared up to giving our very best performance on Sunday, to be as fit as possible and to be fully rehearsed in every department as a team. Still, we want to do as well as we can tomorrow."

... on the performance level:

We will be tested at the absolute highest level. We are looking forward to that because this test will be a realistic benchmark of where we are right now and where we need to look for improvements. We have players who have been in pre-season training for five weeks and we have players who have only had two weeks of pre-season training. We will take it game by game to see where we stand.

...on what state the players who took part in the EURO are in:

„They still have a certain amount of freshness, but haven't done much groundwork and are way behind the others in their preparations. It was important to us that they could all keep their head clear and did not have to do hardly any homework after the EURO. They were supposed to completely switch off."

... on the discrepancy between training and matches:

„The team feels better and more sure of themselves in training, the principles of what we want to achieve are starting to stick. As soon as you add a few stress factors you can tell that it doesn't stick well enough in order to get through weaker phases during a game."

... on the challenge of putting together a new team:

„This is a big challenge, but we will happily take on this challenge. We have not just lost players, but we have also lost some real personalities. Even those players who have only been here a year need to find themselves again, because their role in the team and on the pitch will change. We have added new young players to the squad, who are still developing as players. The language and the culture is new for the players from abroad. The different times when the players join in pre-season make the situation a bit more difficult. But this is not an excuse. We played matches in China against Manchester United and Manchester City, where we showed a real special energy, both in training and on the pitch. We were there as a group for three weeks. Sven Bender and Matthias Ginter flew to Rio from this group, the EURO players joined the group later, Moritz Leitner found a new club. What we actually had was shuffled around again. We have only been together with the squad that we are happy with for a total of nine days so far. You can tell. This is normal, but it needs time. Every match helps and a home game tomorrow will definitely help."

... on the chances the new signing will get a game:

„We will still have a training session today and tomorrow, these last impressions will be important. The only thing that will influence the line-up will be who can show he is ready for the intensity of the game tomorrow. Whether this is a new signing or not, this will not play a role when it comes to deciding on the line-up."

... on the way Mario Götze will be welcomed:

„If Mario is wearing our shirt, he is a BVB player and the fans will support him. I can't imagine how it can be any different."

... on the relationship to Bayern's new Head Coach Carlo Ancelotti:

„We will meet for the first time tomorrow. I know him as a fan of AC Milan. As a player, as a part of a great team, of a great and special club, he opened my eyes back then and showed me how beautiful and spectacular football can be. The era when he was at Milan as the Head Coach and won so many titles speaks for itself. He is an exceptional personality and it is a real honour for him to be working in this league." 

... on the return of Mats Hummels:

„I distance myself from taking things personally. We fought to keep him on a sporting level. He made the decision to join one of the best clubs, that has been one level above us for years. It is twice as disappointing that he has joined a league rival after his transfer."

... on the biggest rivals in the Bundesliga:

„Munich has taken another step forward and they have strengthened their squad yet again. They have brought in Hummels and Sanches and they have not lost any key players. Leverkusen will be our main rival for the Champions League places. They have added quality to their squad. Mönchengladbach is also one the clubs who will be right up there."

Summary by Christina Reinke