Preparing for Bundesliga – focus on Intertoto Cup

11 days ago BVB started preparation for the 04/05 season. While many players are still on vacation due to their participation in Euro 2004 new coach Bert van Marwijk and his assistant Dick Voorn are preparing the team for the third round tie against either KRC Genk or Marek Dupnitsa as UEFA Cup qualification is vital to Borussia Dortmund. This week the whole squad is in a training camp in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria.


With Jensen, Koller, Rosicky, Wörns and Kehl on vacation, Christoph Metzelder and Otto Addo still injured (though they are also in Bad Waltersdorf), van Marwijk had 24 players available. 2 practise sessions each day with many technical exercises. Contrary to Matthias Sammer next to no exercise was without a football, so no Marathon runs anymore. Borussia Dortmund is accompanied by about 50 supporters from the Dortmund area. Sports manager Michael Zorc invited them to the friendly against SC Ritzing yesterday evening.
Still no decision whether BVB will give Amoroso another his last chance to play again for the Blackyellows. There are rumours that Amoroso and his adviser Prof Nivaldo Baldo offered the striker’s services for a reduced salary of 1,8 Mio Euro (last season he was rated 4,5 Mio Euro). Baldo and Amoroso sent a video to German tabloid weekly sports magazine “Sportbild” that shows him during hard practising….really obscure video! General manager Michael Meier seems to be interested in this deal but only under certain conditions:

1. Amoroso has to accept a reduced contract that is strongly linked to his performances.
2. He has to part with his current adviser
3. A successful medical check by Borussia’s medical staff

It seems doubtful that he will part with his advisers so that a new deal seems unlikely. On the other hand Meier and Dr Niebaum may surprise us once again by forgetting what they said some days ago.
The skilful attacking midfielder is recovering from his third (!) torn cruciate ligament. The last one suffered during last season's 1st leg UEFA Cup match at Austria Vienna, where he scored minutes after being injured seriously! Addo’s contract expired this summer but BVB offered him a new 1-year contract that is absolutely performance-related. If he makes a certain number of matches it will automatically be extended till 2006. Addo refused offers by Hanover and other clubs and gladly signed.
Borussia Dortmund’s first match will be either at KRC Genk of Belgium or at Marek Dupnitza of Bulgaria (Genk won the 1st leg at home 2-1) on 17th of July with the second leg likely to be played at Westfalenstadion on 24th July. If BVB wins that duel there are still 2 more rounds left till they qualify for this season’s UEFA Cup. Even a clash with arch-rivals Schlacke 05 is possible! Qualification is vital for the club regarding financial and image aspects.
 

Geschrieben von jonam