By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sep 13 (Xinhua) -- Lucien Favre seems to know all about the expectations in Dortmund. Fans and club officials are anxiously hoping the new coach can lead the team back to success and shape an era similar to 2011-2013 when the Black and Yellows twice won the Bundesliga and narrowly lost the 2013 Champions League final 2-1 against Bayern Munich.
With a Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt looming on Friday evening, Favre, who joined from OGC Nice in France, must feel more like a mechanic than a football coach, as he has to put all the parts together so that the machine can run smoothly.
But things don't seem that bad, as the club spent 100 million euros on seven new players this summer, with their biggest signing having previously stood in the shadows of superstars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
Dortmund are looking to Paco Alcacer to provide a regular supply of goals from inside the box. The Spanish international joined the German side from Barca two weeks ago on a season-long loan, with Dortmund having an option to purchase the player outright for an additional 28 million euros.
The 25-year-old seems to have settled down well and now fans are looking forward to his first appearance in yellow and black. However, Favre says he still hasn't quite decided whether Alcacer will be in Friday's starting 11.
The Swiss coach says his squad still needs time to gel, with a goalless draw against Hannover 96 revealing the team's lack of efficiency in front of goal.
However, Favre has made his choice in midfield, where Belgian international and former Chinese Super League player Axel Witsel, Danish international Thomas Delaney and rising star Mahmoud Dahoud are doing a great job.
Previous attempts to play midfielders or wingers like Mario Gotze, Marco Reus, Maximilian Philipp or Jadon Sancho as an attacking spearhead all failed, with the club pinning their hopes on Alcacer to solve their striking woes.
A run of seven games over the next three weeks will be the ideal test to see if the new center forward lives up to expectations.
After Frankfurt, Dortmund face Club Brugge in the Champions League, followed by league games against TSG Hoffenheim, FC Nurnberg, Bayer Leverkusen and the second Champions League group game against AS Monaco.
Favre praised Alcacer's ability to fit into the team's game. "He's a team player, is ready to join our combinations and is clever in front of goal."
Alcacer knows about expectations, with many Dortmund fans still disappointed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ousmane Dembele and Michy Batshuayi have all elected to leave the club in recent years.
Favre is optimistic Alcacer will address the team's needs, saying he "understands football and his skills make him a striker of great quality."
In Spain, Alcacer, who has been capped 13 times for his country, proved his quality when playing for Valencia and Getafe. By contrast, at Barcelona, he found himself playing second fiddle to the likes of Neymar, Messi and Suarez.
Many in Spain say Alcacer is a striker of great promise and will provide additional quality to Dortmund.
Now the Black and Yellows and football mechanic Lucien Favre are waiting to see his contribution for his new club.
