Gregor Kobel: “We have a really great team”

Borussia Dortmund’s new shot stopper Gregor Kobel has said that there is a really good atmosphere at the club at the moment and he is looking forward to getting started. 

The Bundesliga season is set to start for Borussia Dortmund this coming Saturday, with the first game against Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend. Confidence is running high in the BVB camp, and one of the players most brimming with it is Die Schwarzgelben‘s new number one Gregor Kobel.

In the media round on Thursday, Kobel was quick to comment on how the team is feeling going into the first matchday:

“The guys here are really great. Everyone gets along really well. It’s a great atmosphere. It’s fun to come to training here every day. We have to keep that up during the season.”

Kobel was also asked about the Eintracht Frankfurt game directly and whether he thought it would be a difficult one for BVB. Despite Die Adler having been dumped out of the DFB-Pokal in the first round by SV Waldhof Mannheim, Kobel’s answer remained tempered yet assured, stating that:

“Frankfurt will be twice as motivated after that game. But I’m not worried about that. It is sure to be a great fight. Eintracht is a difficult opponent with lots of quality. We can expect a tough game.”

The interview also touched on the goalkeeping situation at Borussia Dortmund – which now sees Marwin Hitz, Roman Bürki and Gregor Kobel vying for a starting position.

While Kobel was obviously brought in to be the first choice, his reaction to the situation was also very mature. His aim is of course to be the number one, but Kobel also recognised that it was in the end Marco Rose’s decision. He also commented on the situation between the three Swiss shot stoppers as ‘not being easy”, but that competition is and always will be part of the game.

“It’s certainly not an easy situation, but in the end that’s what professional sports are all about. This is part of it, competition is always there.”

Kobel’s comments bring with them an air of confidence; a confidence that should hopefully be contagious to his teammates, especially those in defence. Kobel was asked directly about the defensive aspect of BVB’s game. His answer to how he can influence this as a goalkeeper is a refreshing one, to say the least:

“I always try to help the players in front of me, to support them, to give them tips with my commands. It’s really important to me that we have a good relationship, that we motivate each other positively. I also have to have a presence on corner kicks. That’s part of my game.”

Communication between the keeper and the defensive line will be of even greater importance in the coming games as defensive stalwart Mats Hummels is still out due to injury. While his recovery from injury has accelerated beyond previous expectations, he will still miss the Bundesliga opener against Frankfurt and the Supercup clash with Bayern Munich.

Kobel will need to help the likes of Manuel Akanji take charge of the back line to ensure Dortmund don’t allow any silly chances for their opponents to pounce on. When asked about his expectations for the season, Kobel’s answer was also very clear:

“We are Borussia Dortmund. We want to win as many games as possible. We have a really great team and had really good pre-season games. We have a lot of quality. I’m really excited to get started.”

With Kobel brimming with confidence, Borussia Dortmund fans can look forward to having what looks to be a commanding presence between the sticks for the upcoming season and beyond. The game against Frankfurt will hopefully be the start of a new era for BVB, one of success and more defensive assuredness than we have seen in seasons past.