Focus turns to Freiburg
Our Herthaner were split up into two groups as they waited for their coach to blow his whistle to start training. Seven players in blue bibs had the ball, with four in red looking to win it back from them. Once they did, they then had four small goals to try and score in. “Come on, lads! Chase the ball down and keep pressuring them!” shouted Sandro Schwarz. Marco Richter, Davie Selke & Co. did just that, and the players regularly received loud praise from assistant coach Volkan Bulut.
Selke: “A good and intense start”
The players themselves were happy with their work on the training ground. “It was a good and intense start to a long week of training ahead of the game on Sunday,” summed up Davie Selke after the 90-minute session on Wednesday afternoon. The team had already worked in the gym in the morning. Sandro Schwarz was able to welcome back two players to full training in Myziane Maolida, who had been out injured recently, and Linus Gechter, who has recovered from his tonsil operation. Kélian Nsona continued to train individually, while Filip Uremović (bruised foot), Jessic Ngankam (muscular problems) and Jean-Paul Boëtius were all absent.
The 25 players in training (22 outfielders and 3 goalkeepers) focused on pressing, resisting pressure from the opposition and counter-attacks. The session finished with a 6v5 drill and then a game situation. One notable moment came when Dodi Lukébakio tested out Tjark Ernst with a stunning overhead kick. Despite only drawing last time out to Hoffenheim, it was clear that the players are still hungry for success. “We massively improved in the second half and deserved to take something from the game. Coming from behind shows our team spirit, but of course we want to finally win a game again and get the rewards for our hard work,” commented Schwarz.
Chance to get that next win on Sunday
The next chance to get the second win of the season will come on Sunday (9/10/22, 17:30 CEST) at home to SC Freiburg, although it will certainly be a tough game with the opponents currently sat in second. “We’re expecting a tough game. Freiburg are strong defensively, press well and are dangerous on the break. We will prepare for that, work on our tactics and continue to train hard,” declared Selke.