Sebastian Kehl: Borussia Dortmund must show the right attitude and energy during season-defining run of games

Sebastian Kehl is looking forward to Borussia Dortmund's upcoming tough run of fixtures that could make or break their season.

Borussia Dortmund are set for a number of crunch games in the coming weeks, and these fixtures could well prove to be season-defining for the club. Games against Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are on the horizon for Edin Terzic's side as they look to make a deep run in the Champions League and secure their place in the Bundesliga top four.

BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl knows what is at stake for the club over the next few weeks, and he wants the players to approach the upcoming games with the right attitude and energy.

"It was unusual for us to have so many players with us [during the international break]," Kehl said in an interview with Ruhr Nachrichten. "But that was also a good thing because the training group was comparatively large. Everyone was very focused and there was a good mix of intensity, fun and greed in the sessions. Everyone in the squad knows what lies ahead. It's important that we show the right attitude and energy over the next few weeks, because this is the start of a crucial phase for us."

Starting Borussia Dortmund's tough run of matches will be their trip to Bayern Munich this weekend. The Black and Yellows have often struggled on their travels to the Allianz Arena, but Kehl knows that looking in the rear-view mirror will not help them on Saturday. "It's true that we haven't fared well in Munich in recent years. But looking in the rear-view mirror won't help us on Saturday. We have to concentrate on what's ahead and will need to play with a lot of courage if we want to get the right result," Kehl said.

Borussia Dortmund are currently fourth in the Bundesliga standings, one point clear of fifth placed RB Leipzig.