By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Dortmund has learned its lesson from the 2018/2019 season, and several disappointing results seem to have sparked new ambitions.
Earlier than most of its national rivals, the Blacks and Yellows have prepared for the upcoming season by signing a growing number of top performers and announcing a significant change in their general approach.
After the Bundesliga outfits signed German international and left-back Nico Schulz (TSG Hoffenheim/28 million), deals with Barcelona defender-talent Mateu Morey, German international Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen/25) and Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Moenchengladbach/30) are nearly done.
Borussia is going to use its buying option for Paco Alcacer (FC Barcelona) worth 21 million and is looking for an additional striker and midfielder. Striker Mario Goetze is expected to extend his until 2020 valid contract shortly.
Currently, it appears as if only US international Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/64 million) is leaving next to second-row performers such as Andre Schuerrle, Emir Toprak and Shinji Kagawa.
Dortmund is said to set a new top mark in transfer-fees beyond the 112.5 million euro the club spend in 2016/2017.
The personnel reinforcement was accompanied by the club's announcement to attack the reigning German Champion Bayern Munich after narrowly missing the 2019 title. "We will start into the 2019/2020 season with the clear goal to win the title," the club's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke stressed.
Watzke, sports director Michael Zorc, technical director Sebastian Kehl, external advisor Matthias Sammer and coach Lucien Favre decided to improve their squad by adding experience and speed.
61-year-old Watzke admitted it might have been a mistake not to openly speak about the side's title ambitions in the past season.
The young squad of the Blacks and Yellows lost the race for the national Championship to their biggest rival Bayern Munich after gambling away a nine-point lead. On top, it's the Bavarian's having reached the German Cup final this Saturday against RB Leipzig while Dortmund is still licking its wounds.
Dortmund and coach Lucien Favre were accused of having reacted far too reluctant when dealing with their title dreams. "In hindsight and with all information we have today we should have been more confident. We should have promoted ourselves more offensively after beating Leipzig 1-0 and enjoying a seven-point lead," Watzke commented.
It was possibly too late to speak about the title from matchday 24 on, the Dortmund official admitted. "Not all of us were convinced we should open up," he said assumedly talking about coach Favre who said he would instead count on a step-by-step strategy.
For the next season, things must change as Borussia's squad has gained experience as the club leaders have. "There is no other club addressing the number two status in German football," Watzke emphasized. Dortmund constantly managed to join the top four in Germany but won its last national title in 2012.
Trying to close the gap to the Bavarians further investments and a change in their attitude are inevitable Watzke underlined. "Otherwise we won't get near them again," he commented.
Watzke and Zorc have increased the pressure on their young squad and coach Favre to tease out better performances.
