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dpaDüsseldorf Borussia Dortmund want to make a statement in their Bundesliga opener on Saturday, coach Edin Terzic has said amid big optimism from club president Reinhard Rauball.“We are ready to make a first statement and are looking forward to it,” returning Terzic told reporters on Thursday.Last season’s runners-up don’t have an easy task though because they face fourth-place finishers Bayer Leverkusen.Assistant Terzic was named interim coach in December 2020 until the end of that season, winning the German Cup in his final game. He then became technical director and is now back as head coach after Marco Rose had to go after just one year despite finishing second behind Bayern Munich.“I’m really looking forward to [this upcoming home game]. But it’s not about me, it’s about the team. It’s going to be loud, we’re really looking forward to it. We want to show a good performance on Saturday.” Rauball meanwhile told the Ruhr-Nachrichten paper that the return of the popular Terzic and their new summer arrivals make him very optimistic for the season.“Edin Terzic rightly carries the hopes of the fans,” Rauball said.“Not only because of sympathy, but because he also proved with a title as BVB coach in a very short time that confidence is appropriate.” Dortmund lost star striker Erling Haaland in summer but have also landed Germany defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle for more stability at the back, and young national team forard Karim Adeyemi, among others.“We brought valuable and necessary reinforcements into the team. This and the good last season in the Bundesliga make me very optimistic,” Rauball said.Süle will be missing with a thigh-muscle injury Saturday but Terzic said he hopes to have the former Bayern player back soon.“He is pain-free by now. Hopefully it won’t take too long,” Terzic said, with Süle expected to miss two to three weeks.Another newcomer, forward Sebastien Haller, is however out for months having had a malignant testicular tumour removed and now facing chemotherapy.“Sebastien Haller’s illness is primarily a human tragedy. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will have a happy ending. Of course, such a diagnosis is a blow that is difficult to take at first,” Rauball said.“In sporting terms an important piece of the puzzle has also broken away for us,” he added.Dortmund have said they are looking for a new striker to fill in for Haller but Terzic did not want to join any speculation on this issue.“It is my job to work with the available players. And I am convinced that we will play a decent season with these players,” he said.
