In an interview, Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kerber discussed the team's goals for the new season, their World Cup experience, and the performances of several young players. He stated that the team's goal remains the same: to win matches.
Speaking about his summer break, Kerber said that he didn't completely relax after the World Cup, but gradually adjusted his form to prepare for the new season. "I spent a week in Zurich. After the World Cup, I took some time to process everything and let myself slow down. Later, my wife, children, and I went to Mallorca for two weeks. But by then, we had already started preparing for the new season. The pace is very fast now, and we don't have much time to prepare, so I have to maintain my form as much as possible."
Kerber remains very proud of her experience with the Swiss national team at the World Cup. "There were many different feelings involved, and I experienced many wonderful moments. The World Cup, in particular, was a fantastic experience for our entire team. As a Swiss person, reaching the quarterfinals is something to be very proud of."
When discussing the team's young players, Kerber believes that the combination of youth and experience can have a positive impact on the team.
"It's a good thing that the team has both experience, drive, and fresh blood. The young players are all very motivated, and everyone has the ability. But at Dortmund, you have to show your ability every three days, you have to get into the game quickly, and there usually isn't much time for you to adapt slowly. We all need to work together as a team, help and support each other, bring good team chemistry to the game, adapt to each other's playing style, and build a sense of security and ease on the field."
Kober also gave a positive assessment of Said Mara, who may join the team: "He has speed, good shooting ability, and is very good at one-on-one situations. These are all abilities that I really like."
Speaking about new signing Carezzas, Kerber said the young player quickly showed his qualities. "It was very easy to see that he is a very good player with excellent footwork. His goal against Arsenal was a beautiful one. It's certainly a good start to the season."
However, Kerber also believes that it's not easy for young players to maintain a consistently high level. "For him, the next step is to bring this kind of performance to the game every three days and maintain consistency. That's not easy. It's really asking a player who has just joined the team to maintain this output every three days. But as a team, we certainly want to do our best, while also supporting these young players, giving them enough security, and allowing them to perform at their best."
The Ruhr derby will return to the Bundesliga this season, with Borussia Dortmund facing Schalke 04. Kerber expressed his excitement: "I'm really looking forward to it. I think it's great that the game is back. The Ruhr derby is a true Bundesliga match. We're all excited, and the fans can look forward to it too. It's interesting to see such a rivalry, and it's good for the whole league. This match is sure to be very exciting."
When asked whether he would rather lose both derbies but win the league title, or win both derbies but miss out on the title, Kerber chose the latter without hesitation: "The title, I would definitely choose the title."
When discussing his personal and team sporting goals for the new season, Kerber emphasized the importance of defense. "We did a very good job defensively last year, and that's definitely something we want to continue improving on and carrying over to this season. Good defense made us very strong last year and gave the team a lot of security. It's very important to maintain that."
Regarding his personal goals, Kerber stated that he hopes to continuously push his boundaries. "Personally, I always want to do more and continue to improve. Whether it's on a personal level or in my performance on the field, I want to constantly improve myself. You play football to win, that's very clear. As a player, whether it's a training match or a Bundesliga game, you strive to win every game. There's no other meaning."
