Ricken: Participating in the Champions League is related to Dortmund s reputation and wants to refocus on young players

May 22: Dortmund locked in the Champions League qualification for next season in the last round of the league. When participating in media events a few days ago, the team's sports general manager Ricken pointed out that participating in the Champions League is related to reputation for the Yellow and Black Legion, and he also talked about the new strategies the club wants to implement in the future.

Participated in "Brinkhoff's" During the Ballgeflüster, Ricken talked about a new strategy: "We need to tell a story. Why do we walk into the stadium? Why do we fight? We want to refocus on young players."

However, there will be no radical and thorough reconstruction in Dortmund this summer. Ricken explained: "We have 25 lineup changes last season, replaced a new coach, and the surrounding environment of the team has also changed. This is a huge change, and no other Bundesliga club has ever had this situation."

In Ricken's view, Dortmund's final qualification for the Champions League was a great relief. He said: "No one would have expected that after we stumbled forward like this this season, we could celebrate in the last round. At that moment, everyone was lifted a lot of burden - although the criticism from the outside world was reasonable. And in South Those moments in front of the stands will be memories that the players will still tell in a long time in the future. But we also know that this road is not easy."

Ricken also emphasized: "For Dortmund, it is related to reputation and our international image. The players are eager to participate in the Champions League. Not only those who are already here, but also those who may join."

Dortmund won 7 wins and 1 draw in the last eight rounds of the Bundesliga. Ricken hopes that this momentum can continue to the Club World Cup that started in mid-June: "To be honest, I really hope that the game will continue. That attitude and resistance to stress are what we want to maintain. We have laid a good foundation now."

Dortmund is also looking forward to the Club World Cup, especially because it is a very financially attractive event. Ricken made it clear: "We were not assigned to this event, but were won by our strength over the past four years. This is by no means a friendly match. We are preparing for the game with all our might and have a very serious attitude. We know that many fans will go to the scene together."