Having now been Borussia Dortmund coach for three weeks, Thomas Tuchel held a press conference in Bad Ragaz at which he drew some initial conclusions and gave a first-class initial assessment of the players. He did make an admission, however, saying: "We're not where we want to be yet. There is still a lot of work to be done."

Boris Rupert reporting from Bad Ragaz

"We've been training with great humility and desire," said Tuchel, adding: "Very talented players must be committed to working hard. I have the feeling that the team has a real desire to train and is open to new impulses and stimuli. That is the basis for consistently being able to perform well and for creating an atmosphere in which we can make full use of our talent."

The new coach is certainly contending with an unusual situation. On the one hand pre-season has demanded "a lot of strength and energy which requires adequate recovery", while on the other hand pre-season this year has been extremely short. With just ten days to go before BVB kick off their season in the UEFA Europa League, Tuchel said: "It's a balancing act between athleticism, running and stamina on the one hand and ball possession and defensive play - both individually and as a unit - on the other hand."

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It is the team's defensive play that Tuchel currently sees as the major area under construction, saying: "We're not where we want to be yet. There is still a lot of work to be done." However, the coach cannot and will not take further steps to increase the squad's already extensive training programme, declaring: "It is a case of less is more. We need to be careful not to overdo it. In this respect all of us - including the coach staff - must be disciplined. We need to stay fresh enough to perform well in the friendlies." This, in turn, would provide for "a good atmosphere and increased willingness to learn", said Tuchel.

With around just three weeks to go before the start of the new season, the 28 players in Bad Ragaz - including Nuri Sahin, Kevin Großkreutz and Adrian Ramos, who have now recovered from injury - are looking to make an impression. And Tuchel is taking a good look: "We're still in the process of getting to know the players' strengths and the positions in which they feel comfortable," he concluded.