By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Marco Reus is what you call an experienced football professional. The 30-year-old forward has been through all sorts of ups and downs in his career. The Dortmund-born striker knows the hard times of a tough pre-season preparation, a healthy and disciplined lifestyle and the importance of an athlete's mental state.
All the more it might surprise to see the 41 capped German international ahead of the 2019/2020 in an exhilarated mood.
Reus seems to burst as he looks full of energy and optimism. Somehow, he appears like a newcomer in professional football inflamed by the magic of an unknown chapter to start shortly.
"We have analysed what went wrong last season, we have filled the gaps, and we are ready for a successful restart," the Blacks and Yellows team captain said.
New faces such as Mats Hummels (30/Bayern Munich), Julian Brandt (23/Bayer Leverkusen), Thorgan Hazard (26/Borussia Moenchengladbach) and Nico Schulz (26/TSG Hoffenheim) will help Dortmund's squad to achieve a significant mentality change, he is convinced.
"We have a squad that can bear the load of an entire season," he said talking about a weak second half season last year. The BVB gambled away a seven-point lead followed by investments of up to 140 million euros.
Problems solved? Yes, Reus is insisting, adding "it is inevitable to repeat every day that we can achieve something great."
A mentality change is the key for future success and going to help to beat Dortmund's closest national rival Bayern Munich. Seven consecutive German Championships won by the rival have left deep scars among the 2012 German champions in Dortmund.
Now, Reus underlines, his outfits have matured and gained experience. "It can't be a disadvantage to have many performers around that can rely on a well-balanced grown-up personality," Reus stressed expressing a clear goal for the 2019/2020 season.
Several German media talk about a "title order", expressed by the blond attacker.
Based on last season's outcome, "it must be our aim to end up as first in the national Championship and improve in the Cup and the Champions League."
Increased competition will lead to more quality but at the same time is a challenge for coach Lucien Favre. The reluctant Swiss has to get used to his club's new courageous strategy as he usually prefers to count on a step-by-step policy.
The first stress-test is waiting on August 3 when Dortmund will be crossing swords with Bayern in the German Super Cup final on home soil. Expectations couldn't be bigger among the side's supporters.
"It is up to us to win the thing and realize everyone's dreams," he underlined.
Reus said he doesn't expect any problems within the newly formed squad with many forces around delivering leader-qualities.
According to Reus, Hummels' return is a vital part in Dortmund's effort to end the Bavarians dominance. Hummels, he said, might be not as fast as Bayern defender Niklas Suele but is on a higher level when it comes to game-opening from the back and "he has a better eye for his team-mates."
Considering the improvements of the squad "there can't be any doubt and hardly anything that can make us stop," Reus said.
Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke confirmed his side's determination "as we were as close as never before last season", promising "we intend to transform that into positive energy."
