“Focus, intensity and desire” | OneFootball

Dino Toppmöller has a full squad to choose from in Darmstadt and is expecting a heated atmosphere against the promoted side.

Dino Toppmöller on …

… personnel: “The personnel situation is excellent. Chandler and Rode are also available. We have a full squad to choose from. Everyone‘s looking fit and in good shape. We want to bring focus, intensity and desire into our game again.”

… Sasa Kalajdzic: “Sasa suffered an ankle knock in Leipzig and felt it in training, which is why he sat out for two days. He was back on the pitch on Thursday with rehab coach Benjamin Sommer and came through Friday’s final training session unscathed.”

… Sebastian Rode: “I can reveal one secret: Sebastian Rode will be in the squad tomorrow.”

… Darmstadt 98: “We’re approaching the task with respect. Darmstadt know how to play football with good patterns of play. It’s only in the final third that they sometimes lack precision. They have a team of lads whose hearts are in the right place and who give their all, which impresses me.”

… preparations for Darmstadt: “We had a recovery session yesterday. When training was officially over, the boys stayed on for a while. We're travelling to Darmstadt with that team spirit and want to get the win with the support of our fans.” … the importance of the game: “It’s a Hesse derby. We’re looking forward to it and know what to expect. We’re expecting a heated atmosphere on and off the pitch. We accept the challenge, we’re in good spirits and we’re going to Darmstadt to win. We have fond memories of our meeting earlier in the season. We hope it’ll go the same way.”

… emotions: “It’s important for us to focus on our own performance as well as the emotions that are part and parcel of games like this. There will be fouls, there may be clashes. If so – and I’ll remind the lads of this – I expect them to get up and carry on – and not to complain. That’s football.”

… team spirit: “We had a recovery session yesterday. When training was officially over, the boys stayed on for a while. We're travelling to Darmstadt with that team spirit and want to get the win with the support of our fans.”