Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus: "Bayern Munich always an acid test"
The 2019 Supercup between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich is the first big game of the new season, so it's only fitting that there's a bumper double interview to go with it. And players don't come much bigger than Manuel Neuer and Marco Reus.
We caught up with the team captains prior to Saturday's Supercup Klassiker, which went the way of Dortmund...
Manuel Neuer, Marco Reus, what significance does the Supercup have for you?
Reus: "We're looking forward to it. Unfortunately we weren't able to achieve our main aim at the end of last season, which is why we're even more motivated and ambitious now. In that sense, the game against the Bundesliga champions and DFB Cup winners comes at a good time."
Neuer: "The first title of the season is at stake and we want to defend it. For me, games in Dortmund are always special. I'm looking forward to this game and the competition."
Watch: Every Klassiker Supercup goal since 2010
The Supercup always serves as a yardstick for the new season. What expectations do you have of this year's meeting?
Reus: "Games against Bayern Munich are always an acid test. Both teams were in the USA at roughly the same time and both have just finished a training camp, so there will be conclusions that can be drawn from the match. Having said that, we also know that there are still two weeks before the Bundesliga starts up again."
Neuer: "It's true that it's the first yardstick but it won't determine the entire season. It always sends out a signal when you win in Dortmund, but we know how BVB are looking this year and that they're desperate to finish ahead of us."
Would winning a title before the start of the new season send out a message to your rivals?
Reus: "First and foremost, winning titles is always enjoyable and it gives you extra self-confidence. That's why we want to win the game, no doubt. We can't have any other objective in front of our own fans in Dortmund."
Neuer: "Last year we won the German 'treble' after a great start in Frankfurt [a 5-0 Supercup victory over Eintracht Frankfurt]…"
Watch: Neuer's Bundesliga highlight reel
You now have several weeks of tough pre-season training behind you. Are you satisfied with your team's form?
Reus: "We've been able to train well and, above all, integrate the new players into the team. Now we need to make sure we start the season well. After the game we'll have an idea about how good we really are and where we stand."
Neuer: "I've got a very good feeling but ultimately what's decisive is how the team performs on the day."
The Bundesliga title race in 2018/19 went right down to the wire. What's your assessment of Bayern and Dortmund going into 2019/20?
Reus: "We're only looking at ourselves and we feel well prepared to go again. But we know that Bayern still have a strong team, even in spite of all the players that left - including Mats Hummels, who returned to us. Then we'll have to see, but RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen are also very strong. Overall I think we can all look forward to an interesting and hopefully exciting season. Obviously this time I hope that the season will end better for us and our fans."
Neuer: "I'm excited. Most people are expecting a three-way title race including Leipzig. I'd prefer it if it wasn't such a tense season this time. It would be nice to have the title wrapped up a bit earlier."
Watch: ALL 17 of Reus' Bundesliga goals in 2018/19!
Next summer UEFA EURO 2020 will take place. Is that an extra motivation ahead of the coming season?
Reus: "I don't want to look that far ahead yet. For now the only thing that counts for me is the season with Dortmund. We want to do well in all three competitions. That said, obviously the EURO qualifying campaign will happen at the same time and we want to qualify comfortably in order to go into the tournament with confidence. It'll be a bit different to other competitions because it's being held all over Europe."
Neuer: "They're two different competitions. We're focusing on the Bundesliga 100 per cent. If you have a successful season with your club then it only helps you with the national team. We want to remain injury free and then my aim is to win the European Championship."
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