Gregor Kobel: Borussia Dortmund are “playing for the championship”
Borussia Dortmund and Swiss shot stopper Gregor Kobel spoke to Ruhr Nachrichten about the club’s current league position and their goals for the rest of the season.
Borussia Dortmund’s stunning run in the Bundesliga culminated in a 9th straight win this past weekend, with Die Schwarzgelben taking all three points on the road at Hoffenheim’s Rhein-Neckar-Arena. The result was a hard fought 1-0 that complemented the skills of keeper’s on both ends. For Dortmund’s part however, this further emphasized Gregor Kobel’s importance in their run since the end of the winter break.
Kobel has been in immense form for Dortmund, making important saves and taking the role as a leader on and off the pitch. Kobel himself sat down with RN to discuss Dortmund’s 9th win in a row, as well as to give his perspective on the team’s recent run of form and prospects going forward.
When asked about how it felt to have Dortmund sitting atop the Bundesliga table, Kobel noted that he was very happy about the team’s current position and it aligned with what the team had set out to do after the winter break:
"“It’s a very nice feeling to be top of the table. We’re happy about the win, we’ve won nine out of nine games. This is a run like we set out to do. It feels very good that we’ve rewarded ourselves with the league lead.”"
Dortmund’s position in the table is indeed a reward for the squad, but also a breath of fresh air for fans who had watched their team struggle prior to the extended, World-Cup enforced winter break. Kobel is not the only player to touch on Dortmund’s current run of form and change of fortunes. Dortmund’s Niklas Süle also stated quite plainly in a recent interview that the squad was very much aware of the opportunity before them, and adding another three points to their tally this weekend shows that they are working very hard to maintain a level of intensity that could possibly lead to eventual silverware this season.
Despite the team’s current run of 9 wins, Kobel was very clear in saying that their performances haven’t exactly been perfect. In his eyes, the games have been a bit too close for comfort at times, and the threat of opposition counter attacks have to be managed better by the player’s on the pitch. According to Kobel, large gaps between the attack and defense have allowed for these counter attacks to manifest and threaten Dortmund’s goal.
In the end however, Kobel outlined the team’s goals for the season in no uncertain terms; Because the team has come so far and clawed their way into this very position, Dortmund must push for the Bundesliga crown this season:
"“We’re right at the top. It’s quite clear what’s in it for us: we’re playing for the championship. When you’re up there, you don’t have to say you’re looking at anything else. Everything is possible. In the end, we’ll see what it’s enough for.”"
Next. Sebastian Kehl gives update on futures of Marco Reus and Mats Hummels. dark
Should Dortmund continue to apply the same level of concentration to every game as they have been since the start of the Rückrunde, they have every chance to push for trophies. Kobel will undoubtedly be at the forefront of this push, making sure that he and his club can ward off their competitors for the next few months.