"?Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has reportedly come out in support of Borussia Dortmund's chances in the Bundesliga this upcoming season, despite a number of high-profile exits from the club.
According to reports from "?Goal.com, the World Cup winning German international has suggested that their primary rivals for the domestic title will still hold a major threat, due to their manager and the system they currently play:
"I think they will play a huge role this year because Thomas Tuchel is a great coach who is able to compensate for the losses of key players.
"They have a great team either way, no matter if they will make any further transfers.
"The system they play will fit them and they will play a great role. But nobody knows how far this will take them."
The likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mats Hummels have all left the Signal Iduna Park this summer in high-profile exits, the latter joining Bayern Munich, as rumours also circulate around the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the top clubs in Europe observing his status.
However, Mario Gotze has been rumoured this week to be close on a return to Dortmund after leaving for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2013 for £37m, and coach Tuchel has also brought in the likes of Sebastian Rode, Marc Bartra, Ousmane Dembele and Euro 2016 winning defender Raphael Guerreiro.
Speaking of his own side's state of mind ahead of their campaign under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, Lahm has said that nothing has changed in terms of their aims for the season, despite a change in philosophy:
"Everything is new. There is a new philosophy and we all have to get used to each other.
"We got the same goals every year - we want to win the Bundesliga because you play every single week and therefore it's the most honest title."