Two sessions to start the week – several players return

Back in Berlin, back on the training ground at Schenckendorffplatz! The friendly win at SV Babelsberg 03 marked the end of our first training camp of pre-season. Before the squad travel to England for the second one, they will continue to prepare the season back in the capital. Sandro Schwarz’s players trained twice on Monday. “We have to work hard and give 100% in every training session. I expect that from every player,” said our coach.

Performance and medical tests for the players who were on international duty

The same group that ended the camp in Kienbaum were back giving their all at Schenckendorffplatz. Kélian Nsona, Jessic Ngankam and Stevan Jovetić trained individually, whilst Prince Boateng and Dongjun Lee completed performance and medical tests. They were joined by Omar Alderete, Fredrik Bjørkan, Márton Dárdai, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Peter Pekarík and Krzysztof Piątek, who have all returned from their extended summer break after international duty at the end of last season. Dedryck Boyata will arrive on Tuesday and complete the same schedule. The plan is for all of these players to join team training at some point during this week.

Counter-attacking, pressing and speed

Those in training experienced an intense session to start the week. Following the warm-up with Henrik Kuchno, they completed some passing drills on a small pitch. They then did some three-touch and two-touch exercises in tight spaces, which was then followed by a game. “One focus over the coming days is our counter-attacking play, though we will combine that with all other things, such as our defensive work, our pressing and structure. We’ll also work on our fitness and speed too,” explained Schwarz. The lads will train once on Tuesday (10:00 CEST), but twice on both Wednesday and Thursday (10:30 and 16:30 CEST). There is one session planned for Friday (10:00 CEST) before the third friendly of pre-season away at FC Energie Cottbus (19:00 CEST).