By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Dortmund's sports director Sebastian Kehl can't make up his mind about how to describe what will take place this Tuesday evening.
While fans are eagerly awaiting their club's first match of the 2018 Champions League campaign against FC Bruges in Belgium, Kehl is having trouble finding a suitable phrase to describe his club's return to the international stage. In the end, the former midfielder uses words like "redemption", "restart" and "obligation."
Looking at the circumstances, it is obvious the Black and Yellows' Group A curtain raiser is much more than a just another game. It is Dortmund's attempt to try to return to Europe's footballing elite. Kehl can't deny Dortmund is seeking redemption after the side's poor performance a year ago when they only drew twice against underdogs Nicosia and had to suffer an embarrassing early group exit.
The once proud club was the subject of an avalanche of ridicule and mockery. Kehl doesn't make a secret of Dortmund's obligation to do better this time. Circumstances have changed, and the side feels the energizing power of the new start under Swiss coach Lucien Favre.
"We want to survive the group and still be part of the Champions League in spring next year. We have been working so hard and considered every possible detail," Kehl commented.
Things will be tough for Dortmund who have been drawn in a group with Atletico Madrid, AS Monaco and Bruges.
The Dortmund official said they are lucky to have the opportunity to make up for what happened 12 months ago. Kehl admits his hopes are pinned on new faces like former Chinese Super League player and Belgian international Axel Witsel, especially as Spanish striker Paco Alcacer and Thomas Delaney are out injured.
Bruges' team contains Belgium's best footballers, says midfielder Witsel who added that "we should however be able to win the game with our greater individual skills and our team qualities."
Witsel and Favre are well aware it won't be enough just to deliver positive results. The "restart" can only be successful when Dortmund reaches the knock-out stage and at least the last eight depending on the draw.
29-year-old Witsel has developed into Dortmund's irreplaceable leader in a short period of time. "He takes responsibility for our game and organizes the team's tactical approach," said Dortmund's managing director Michael Zorc.
The former midfielder said he was immediately happy with the way Witsel took control. Witsel is part of Favre's strategy to stabilize Dortmund's defensive game.
So far things seem to be working well, at least when it comes to the Bundesliga. Dortmund won two of its three games and finds itself second behind top dog Bayern Munich. Manuel Akanji and Diallo are developing into an impenetrable central defensive duo and are one of the reasons for the current positive trend.
The 23-year-old Swiss international and the 22-year-old French U-21 international, exemplify Favre's changes, which helped to close the gaps in Dortmund's game. Favre called it a first step back to happiness.
The Swiss coach said the next step has to be to increase the effectiveness in front of goal.
"On the international stage, you have to use the few chances you get. It is our task to find the right balance between defense and attack, but the team is on the right track," Favre commented.?
