Dortmund re-engineered! Set to resume title charge
Even if coach Edin Terzic was not pleased with the performance that required a late misfired Donyell Malen try to snag it, a 1-0 victory over Cologne on Matchday 1 was the intended outcome.
Fullkrug dons the black-yellow
Due to their early-season struggles, Borussia Dortmund signed German attacker Niclas Füllkrug to help turn things around, much to the delight of fans with Borussia Dortmund tickets. The club reported that the 30-year-old signed a three-year contract until June 2026 after passing a medical exam in Dortmund on Thursday.
Dortmund and Werder Bremen had already been in talks about the agreement. Bremen had anticipated receiving around 20 million euros ($22 million), but the clubs chose a deal worth 15 million ($16.4 million).
"Niclas has proven his goal threat over the years and won the (Bundesliga) top scorer trophy last season," stated Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl. He is rightfully a crucial component in the heart of the national team's assault because of his outstanding performances.
Involving his teammates, excellent in the air, physically present, and impressive in one-on-one battles, Niclas is a forward who makes his opponents uncomfortable. With all of these attributes, he perfectly fits the profile we were searching for.
Füllkrug, who is 30 years old, is a late bloomer. He has participated in 135 more games in the second tier than in the Bundesliga (128). He only made his Germany debut in 2022, but he was one of the few bright spots for the team during yet another forgettable World Cup. As the squad lost in the group stage, he scored two goals. He has made nine appearances for the national team and scored seven goals overall.
According to Kehl, Niclas is enthusiastic about working for Borussia Dortmund and is already a favourite among those with Borussia Dortmund tickets. "We welcome this upbeat man who will stand up for our team. BVB has high expectations for three competitions, and we are confident Niclas will help us achieve those goals.
Füllkrug will compete with promising German forward Youssoufa Moukoko and Ivory Coast striker Sébastien Haller for a starting spot. In the 2024 edition of the African Cup of Nations, Haller will compete for Ivory Coast. Füllkrug, in the view of Germany's head coach Hansi Flick, would blend in beautifully at Dortmund.
When Flick decided to add the player to his most recent squad, he commented, "It goes without saying that he could help the team with his personality and quality." Since his final appearance for the German under-20 squad in 2014, Füllkrug has previously been passed over for the senior team. But before Flick eventually called him up before the World Cup in Qatar, he had guided Bremen to Bundesliga promotion in 2022 and had scored ten goals in 14 games.
Dortmund lost England sensation Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid, and the club has since had trouble finding a replacement. Two midfielders, Marcel Sabitzer and Felix Nmecha, came from Wolfsburg and Bayern, respectively. This individual is hurt and won't be able to play for a while. Edin Terzi, the coach of Dortmund, wanted to keep the focus on the opposition and refrained from making any remarks about Füllkrug's signing until it was official.
Bella Kotchap out of Dortmund's plans
Fans with Borussia Dortmund were left dejected as their club's chase of Southampton centre defender Armel Bella-Kotchap is finally finished after a relatively drawn-out transfer saga. According to reports, the sale was very close to being finalized. One report even stated that Bella-Kotchap was waiting for approval to board a plane at home with his bags packed. However, the terms of the agreement turned out to be too expensive for BVB, and they have now withdrawn from talks.
According to several publications, the transaction consisted of a loan with an obligation to purchase, a loan cost of between €3.5 million and €8 million, and a transfer fee of about €20 million.
Group of Death at the UCL draw
In the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League group stage, Borussia Dortmund will face off against Paris Saint–Germain, AC Milan, and Newcastle United.
The 2023–24 UEFA Champions League group stage draw has been made, and Borussia Dortmund will have to defeat Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Newcastle United to advance to the round of 16. The Black and Yellows were sent to Group F, which seemed to be the death group.
PSG defeated Dortmund 3-2 on aggregate in their most recent meeting in the UCL round of 16 in 2020. Following the departures of Messi and Neymar this summer, everything at PSG has changed. Ousmane Dembele, who transferred from FC Barcelona to PSG earlier this summer, will be facing a reunion with Borussia Dortmund. Achraf Hakimi, a former right back for BVB, is currently a member of PSG.
Last year, AC Milan advanced to the UEFA Champions League semifinals, and they will present Borussia Dortmund with a challenging group-stage matchup this year. When the two teams last faced off, BVB prevailed even though Italian powerhouses claimed the Champions League title that year.
The matchup with AC Milan will also be Christian Pulisic's first match back since joining the Italian powerhouses this summer after leaving Chelsea. Naturally, Alexander Isak, a former Borussia Dortmund striker, has been driving Newcastle United's comeback.
Last year, Borussia Dortmund advanced to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League before being defeated by Chelsea. They'll be hoping to perform better this season in the competition. On September 19, 2023, the group stage of the UEFA Champions League will begin. The second matchday is set for October 3–4, 2023. On December 13, 2023, the group stage will close.
Gio Reyna is back
Despite rumors of a possible loan move away from the club, USMNT midfielder Gio Reyna has returned to Borussia Dortmund's training with a positive attitude. Given that Reyna was an essential player that the fans adored and cherished, it was a solace for the regular supporters who purchased Borussia Dortmund tickets.
Due to his participation with the USMNT team in their most recent Nations League games, Reyna arrived a little later than the other participants. Reyna reportedly sustained an injury, but Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic said the young midfielder might soon resume training. Reyna, though, has been the subject of persistent speculations that he may leave on loan, with Borussia Monchengladbach purportedly keen to sign him.
Terzic: Ready for next step
Edin Terzic praised the Borussia Dortmund fans for their support, especially on the final day of the previous season after the heartbreaking Bundesliga title loss. Additionally, the BVB head coach promised that his team will compete for the Bundesliga championship this year to demonstrate that they were prepared to advance.
"First of all, I'd want to express gratitude on behalf of the squad for our outstanding support over the previous season. You were there for us when things became challenging, especially after the season. You demonstrated how unique a club our hearts beat for. We want to prove to everyone that we are prepared to move forward.
With the club finishing painfully close to domestic triumph last season, fans are excited for the black-yellow's next season. As such, Borussia Dortmund tickets are selling hot and fast. With almost all German squads significantly strengthened, an exciting season awaits.