After the first round of the DFB Cup, the inauguration of the league against Mainz and the subsequent two week long international break, the season is now set to really get underway. Borussia Dortmund have seven games to play in the coming 21 days. The myriad fixtures begin in Leipzig.

The questions posed to manager Thomas Tuchel at today's press conference revolved primarily around the freshly promoted side from Saxony. "I look at the whole thing unemotionally, and purely from a sporting perspective", said Tuchel of the new Bundesliga participants, who are being eyed somewhat critically: "They are competitors. We are preparing ourselves for the game and our opponent with the utmost meticulosity, and we recognise the strength and the power which the project has in the region, financially and structurally." 

The football tutor talked of "a well stocked team suffused with structure" and sketched the following portrait of the Leipzig team's strengths: "They have superb pace in offensive areas of the pitch, they are characterised by compact defending and can counter quickly, all of which is paired to the fact that this is their first home game in the Bundesliga and that we are a high-profile team against whom to begin the project. We know what is waiting for us there. We require a very high-level performance in order to pass this test, with regard to how we play, in the tackle and also concentration levels."  

The BVB manager also paid his respects to his counterpart, Ralph Hasenhüttl. In his previous role at Ingolstadt, "he was able to create something that was greater than the sum of its parts".

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In good spirits before departing for Leipzig: Marc Bartra, Sokratis and Raphael Guerrero want to return with three points.

The men from Dortmund are not expecting a cauldron like atmosphere merely due to the climatic conditions in the 42,558 capacity sold-out Leipziger WM stadium, in which 4,500 Black and Yellow away fans will also be present. "We will prepare the team for the mentality and the aggressive approach to the game of our opponent", promised Tuchel: "Leipzig want to outdo themselves and give their best performance on this stage. We are expecting a close, tight game, in which we will have to fight for the smallest of advantages."
Boris Rupert