Finding the right balance

The blue and white flags were flying in the wind, the freshly cut grass was gleaming in the sun and the assistants had perfectly prepared the Schenckendorffplatz with balls and equipment. The players however were a little late to training on Wednesday but there was a perfectly good reason for this. Just like the training ground, the team were perfectly equipped for the upcoming session, as coach Tayfun Korkut had requested a video analysis before the squad began. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. “We have to get the team focused and concentrated on the upcoming match. Every team needs a different balance of tactical and emotional guidance. My job is to find the correct balance and to choose to what extent we criticize or focus on the positives” explained the gaffer.

Boyata and Serdar back in the team, Jovetić training individually

The team worked on the things they did well in the opening hour against Leipzig in the 80 minute session. After the classic warm-up and exercises to give the players a feel for the ball, the assistants focused the players on switching play and closing down space. The players battled hard and didn’t give each other an inch. The squad was given a boost by the return of Captain, Dedryck Boyata who returned following a ligament injury and Suat Serdar who was missing against Leipzig due to a positive COVID test. Nils Körber also made a comeback after a knee injury and Kélian Nsona and Stevan Jovétic trained indvidually. “The substitution on Sunday was a precautionary measure. Shortly after Leipzig’s second goal Stevan said to me that he felt something in the back of his thigh and he wanted to come off. Jove has been of great importance in recent weeks and therefore we want to protect him,” explained Korkut.

Seven players still self-isolating

The recovering Rune Jarstein, Oliver Christensen and Márton Dárdai all missed out, as did Niklas Stark, Lukas Klünter, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Marvin Plattenhardt, Prince Boateng, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp and Dongjun Lee, all of whom are in self-isolation. When the players with COVID can return to the squad is dependent on testing and the outcome of their cardiology assessments. “Of course the amount of COVID cases is extreme but we didn’t let it set us back. Obviously it is something you have to take into account and prepare for and we will have to see who is able to return for the next game. These are things you have to deal with and that’s just life. It is a challenge but I’m in good spirits and we’ll get our heads up quickly,” the coach said. The U23 players Cimo Röcker and Julian Albrecht who featured in the squad against Leipzig completed the group and made a good impression during training, as did the entire team. “One thing I can sense is that the team is listening and is willing to implement what we want of them. That is extremely important in a difficult situation such as this” underlined the coach. Korkut and Co. will be hoping that the hard work translates into three points this Saturday when we visit SC Freiburg (15:30 CET).