Aged 28 and in the prime of his career, Marcel Schmelzer is preparing for his ninth season with Borussia Dortmund. Whereas back in 2008 he was battling role model Dede for his place, now it's Raphael Guerreiro providing the competition. "If we have two good players in each position, both benefit because they drive each other to perform better," the full-back said. 

"We are working with intensity and focus. The new players are making every effort to integrate. They want to become familiar with our procedures. That makes it easier for everyone," the all-rounder declared. On Thursday, he spent two sessions – lasting four hours in total – on the training ground with his team-mates. "It's a lot more fun to train with this big group. After all, this is this group that needs to grow and stick together for the entire season. Here in Bad Ragaz we need to internalise our ways of playing. Because after that the matches will be coming thick and fast."

The all-rounder is delighted to have Mario Götze back in Black and Yellow. "It's as if he never left," said Schmelzer, before admitting: "We had contact now and again while he was away, but that stepped up a notch before he moved back." The left-back admitted telling his former and new team-mate "that I would be absolutely delighted if the transfer took place because we had a wonderful time together back then".

Now Götze's back again, and Schmelzer feels that "Mario's come of age". The full-back said: "Mario gives the impression that he's become more mature since then, which is normal as you get older. Otherwise he's still the same funny, easy-going guy he always was." As for his sporting aptitude, Schmelzer said: "You could see on the training pitch today what incredible quality he has. We're absolutely delighted to be lining up alongside Mario again."

"We want to concentrate on securing second place"

Though competition for the full-back spots will become even more intense following the signing of European champion Raphael Guerreiro this summer, Schmelzer sees this as a positive: "It is very important –  and I'm not just saying this – that we have two good players in each position. We have a lot of matches, and we are now in the Champions League rather than the Europa League. If there are two good players for each position, both benefit because they drive each other to perform better."

For the upcoming Bundesliga campaign, Schmelzer's target is to consolidate last season's second-place finish: "Leverkusen haven't lost any players; on the contrary, they have strengthened well. And you need to beware of Schalke. That's why we need to concentrate on securing second place," he concluded.
Boris Rupert