On the right trek
The fans still remember golden 70s when their team took the championship title five times and won UEFA Cup twice. They are wishing for the glory days to return and precisely from this squad that got on Zweite top expect the top in Bundesliga 1 as well. But, fans' dreams and reality are two different things. Still, the quality is evident. They ended the season first with 18 wins, only four defeats and 71 goals scored. Precisely the fact that they played offensive football is the main reason for great enthusiasm, which reflected in even 26 000 season tickets sold. It will definitely be hot at Borussia Park this season.
Between dreams and reality
Management of the club are lingering between expectations and abilities, so they will mostly rely on the same line-up who got promoted to Bundesliga 1. Survival in the elite is an aim that goes without saying, while in case of good results on the start their ambitions can grow. They brought no famous back-ups this summer but this is justified with the fact that everything worked perfectly last season and that Olivie Nouville and mark Martin brought then as back-ups were just the right moves. That is best proven by the summon to the national squad in EURO 2008. Nouville played against Austria, while Marin, Tomas Hasller's heir, was the last one ruled out from the list for Austria and Switzerland. Coach Jos Luhukay won't give up his favourite 4-4-2 formation, where Canadian Friend will join Nouville, while Marin will help form the right side.
Defense was second-best last season in Zweite and there is definitely no reason for any major changes.
In
David Degen (FC Basel loan return), Jean-Sébastien Jaurès (Auxerre), Karim Matmour (Freiburg), Gal Albermann (Beitar Jerusalem), Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker (Bayer Leverkusen)
Out
Kasper Bögelund (Aalborg), Robert Fleßers (Mainz 05), Nando Rafael (Aarhus), Eugen Polanski (Getafe), Ze Antonio (released)
Verdict:
If they keep and repeat the form from last season, top part of the standings could be the target. They have a 19-year-old Marin in the squad who could be the surprise of the season. On the other hand, the pressure of the fans is huge, so the question is how the talented attacker will fit in Bundesliga 1. A lot depends on the start but if it goes according to plans, they can go far. Coach Lukuhay has an offensive approach and he will definitely chase victory in each game. Still, we should be realistic and accept that each place above 10th would be a great success.
CL
CLQ
UEFA
RELEG