Roman Weidenfeller, the goalkeeper whose leadership from the back had been crucial to Dortmund's recent success, offered practical wisdom that spoke to years of experience reading the game from the most comprehensive vantage point on the pitch.
"Communication on the pitch isn't just about words," he said, his voice carrying the authority of someone who had organized defenses against the world's best attackers. "It's about understanding, about trust, about knowing your teammates will be where they need to be. You already speak that language fluently I can see it in how you carry yourself, how you watch us interact. You understand the game's rhythm."
Jakub Błaszczykowski, the Polish winger whose work ethic was legendary throughout German football, offered practical advice about adapting to German culture.
