Borussia Dortmund

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"When we return home, we expect results from the training!"

[23.07.] This weekend the second phase of BVB´s pre-season preparations comes to an end. "When we return home, we expect results from the training," said Jürgen Klopp at the end of the training camp in Stegersbach, and that´s why he decided to intersperse the tough training routine with a light training session on Thursday and a training-free day on Sunday.

"We had granted the lads a long holiday where they behaved in a very professional manner," said the BVB coach.

After three weeks of intense training, Jürgen Klopp declared himself satisfied with the results so far. "We had granted the lads a long holiday where they behaved in a very professional manner," said the BVB coach. "That´s why we were able to start at a high level and practice bigger volumes. On average we trained twice per day."

On Monday, BVB start the third phase of their pre-season preparations in Dortmund. "Then we want to reach the next level," said Klopp, announcing a "sprint and endurance test to see how the training has kicked in."

At the same time, players who aren´t yet on the same fitness level due to injuries or vacation (Subotic, Barrios), will continue training to catch up with the rest. "You have to take into account that you never have the entire squad available," said Klopp, who´s "having no problems with that." BVB´s top scorer Lucas Barrios, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals with Paraguay, has been running in training for five days. "Let´s see how quickly we can get him into decent shape," said Klopp.

Back in Dortmund, “we want to reach the next level.” [pictures: firo]

Due to injuries, four players have been unable train or had to cut down training. "Lukasz Piszczek is now able to run pain-free and will increase the volume," said Klopp, and Lasse Sobiech is currently on the "finishing strait to start regular training." Both added an extra session on Thursday. "It is a different story with Florian Kringe. The screw is still reacting a bit." But according to Klopp, this is "not unusual". And Yasin Öztekin has problems on the chin which had been operated half a year ago. But for all players applies: "It´s nothing that can´t be made up."

The two friendlies against 1860 Munich on Saturday and Dynamo Dresden on Wednesday will pose tough tests for Borussia Dortmund. It´s very likely that Jürgen Klopp will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, even if Robert Lewandowski can also be seen in a role of a thoroughbred striker alongside Lucas Barrios. The differences to a 4-4-2 were only marginal, so the coach, they were mainly of defensive nature. In the pre-season games so far, Lewandowski has put in a lot of hard work and showed that he could also play in an advanced role. Klopp praised BVB´s new signing for his "fantastic movement between the lines".