At the BVB training camp, several new signings are making their debut for Borussia Dortmund. One of them makes it clear right from the start what role he wants to take on, namely that of boss. Even if that means stepping out of his comfort zone.
Pascal Groß belted out “Hey Baby” by DJ Ötzi on Monday evening in Borussia Dortmund’s team hotel. The singing performance was an induction ritual that every new signing has to go through.
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“I was way out of my comfort zone,” admitted Groß, who can now “sleep soundly again.” Groß is not someone who likes to be the center of attention. At least not off the pitch. The 33-year-old feels much more comfortable on the field.
BVB newcomer Groß celebrates successful debut
Groß played 46 minutes on his debut for BVB, of which he has been a fan since childhood. He was the only new signing to play from the start against Villarreal (2:2). He immediately took on the leading role in the number six position. He gave commands, impressed with his ball control and took responsibility for the very good set pieces.
The same picture can be seen in the training sessions so far in Bad Ragaz (Switzerland). “I’m just trying to play well and put my colleagues in the spotlight. I’m trying to take responsibility and perform,” said Groß after the game.
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But not everything is working for the veteran yet. Two or three diagonal balls landed out of bounds. In the situation before the 0-2, he did not go after the ball decisively. The tough schedule in the training camp could be an explanation for this. And yet: Groß is making progress.
Ricken: One can only “rave about it”
Lars Ricken, sports director, said that with a player like Groß, one can only rave about him. Coach Nuri Sahin is said to have played a major role in the transfer.
According to Groß, the two spoke on the phone “a few times”. “A few times is a good way of saying that,” corrected the BVB coach and explained: “For me it was important that we get this type of player, no matter how old he is. […] We were missing this profile. He thinks football. We talk a lot and we always drift back to football. He will do us a lot of good.”
Captain appointment further intensifies BVB competition
And who will be playing for BVB at number six at the start of the season? Pascal Groß is currently doing a lot of advertising for himself.
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Marcel Sabitzer seems to be a sure bet, partly because of his last season, in which he was one of Dortmund’s best players. But the Austrian still cannot be sure.
The fact that Emre Can will also be BVB captain next season makes the situation even worse. Because it is clear that Can will also play a key role.
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Felix Nmecha also has high expectations and, despite his disappointing first season, enjoys a high reputation in the club. In the second row, Salih Özcan and youngster Kjell Wätjen are putting pressure on. The competition in defensive midfield is enormous.
“That’s what I wanted, that’s what the club wanted. Nuri (Sahin; Anm. d. Red.) wanted that and in the end the players want it too. I haven’t heard a single player say that they didn’t want that because everyone is clear: ‘Okay, that’s the only way we’ll get better,'” said managing director Lars Ricken.
Nuri Sahin is enthusiastic about his new recruits: “They are doing well, everyone is pulling together well. They laugh a lot. That’s always a good sign.”
The fact that the mood in the team is so good despite the enormous competition is certainly also due to performances off the pitch and outside the comfort zone. The best example: Pascal Groß’s “Hey Baby” performance.
