Nico Schlotterbeck: Borussia Dortmund are looking for “more consistency” this campaign

Borussia Dortmund have had quite a few new faces join their first team, changing the complexion of the side that made it to the Champions League Final this past campaign. Many of these new faces have been brought in to build on this success and elevate Dortmund’s game and potential for the current campaign.

Of course, new faces alone will not truly be enough to elevate Dortmund to the next level. The core of the squad that has taken over the mantle of “senior players” will have a massive hand in making this a reality as well. Among these players is Nico Schlotterbeck.

Having spent the last two campaigns in Dortmund, Schlotterbeck had solidified himself as a mainstay in Dortmund’s defense and firmly sees his future in black and yellow for the coming years. In an interview per Ruhr Nachrichten, Schlotterbeck talked about the club’s ambitious nature and what the players’ goals are for the coming year:

"We are obviously very ambitious. We have had a small shake-up and new players, and we have had a great transfer phase. The boys are all up for it. That’s why I always expect to set the highest possible goal. If we win a title somewhere this season, then I’ll be happy with it. But of course, the league is above all else. We’re trying to bring more consistency than in recent years with Borussia."

- Nico Schlotterbeck

Schlotterbeck has taken on an additional role as one of the club’s vice-captains this season, making him a more integral part of the dressing room leadership structure. He is also setting a good example on the pitch, with the Germany international taking head coach Nuri Şahin’s directive to shift him to left back in stride, and performing admirably at that:

"“A lot has changed for me. Plying in the full-back position is something completely different…I have to adapt, but it felt good and was fun. I had a lot of moves, the guys gave me the ball a lot, trusted me, so I was really happy with the game.”"

- Nico Schlotterbeck

According to Schlotterbeck, despite having tough opposition in the league in the form of Bayer Leverkusen (who haven’t been torn apart in the way many predicted this summer and have strengthened considerably), alongside perennial title threats Bayern and a young RB Leipzig side filled with talent, Dortmund back themselves to be up there amongst these squads in competing for silverware, as they should be. Dortmund acquitted themselves well against a strong Eintracht Frankfurt side on the weekend and showed that the ideas Nuri Şahin is implementing have been well received and internalized by the squad.

Schlotterbeck will be an important part of any potential success Dortmund has this season, just as he was in his first two seasons. The player's talents, and now leading role in the club should only serve as a strong net positive for the club as they chase both his and their own overall aspirations for the coming season.