“Every training session helps” | OneFootball

Marco Friedl & Co. have wrapped up their final training session in Zillertal (Photo: WERDER.DE).

Mixed Zone with Marco Friedl

Before SV Werder conclude their training camp in Zillertal with a double-header of friendlies against TSG Hoffenheim on Friday (1st August), Marco Friedl took the time to speak to the media from the mixed zone. Amongst other things, the captain discussed…

…the training camp: “It was a long training camp but it went by relatively quickly. In between the intense sessions, you also need time to rest, and tomorrow we want to finish strong with the friendly. If that goes well, then I’ll be very satisfied with the training camp. Last year, I questioned the quality because we didn’t train well; it was the opposite this year. This time, it was the weather that was bad which had an impact on the pitch, but the quality and intensity of our sessions was good.”

…the new head coach: “A lot has changed, be it our formation or our approach. He communicates a lot, especially with several of the players. Whenever there’s a change of coach, you need to use the time you have well — the entire coaching staff is doing a great job.”

Marco Friedl looks back on the training camp (Photo: W.DE).

…his relationship to Horst Steffen: “I have a very open and good relationship to the head coach. We speak daily about matters both on and off the pitch. It’s important for him to get to know everything and that’s something that the players who have been around for a while can help with. He’s got a good sense for what’s needed and it’s nice to have a coach that communicates so openly.”

…the back four: “We’ve utilised it often during pre-season, but we’ll see if we use it in the league as well. We know that we can play well with three at the back, which is why it’s important to now also work on our back four. It changes things a bit for us as defenders because we’re one player less when building out from the back and defending against the ball, and your positioning inside the box also changes. As the coach said, it’s just a matter of time until we’ve got it down. Every training session helps.”

…looking forward to the first competitive game: “We still have work to do in several areas. We don’t have as deep a squad as some of the other teams, so it’s noticeable when two, three players are missing when we’re playing 11 vs. 11. Our first game is in just two weeks, and we have plenty to make up for. That’s why we’re trying to take full advantage of every session, both with and without the ball.”

…the injury-enforced absences: “When all three of your top scorers are injured at the same time, their absences are clearly felt, especially when you don’t have a large squad. I don’t think that Jens and Duckcshi will be sidelined for too long. Mitch’s injury is the worst thing that can happen. Everyone knows his quality and we’re now all tasked with compensating for his absence. You have to be able to put things behind you quickly in football, in order to make the best of it. That’s why we have to not dwell on it any longer, even if it is something that’s still on our minds.”

…the squad: “We’ve brought in some reinforcements already and I think that there will be a couple more changes to come still. It’s tricky at the minute because there’s not much happening on the transfer market in Germany. Peter and Clemens are waiting to see what happens. I’m in contact a lot with both of them and chat with them. I know that they’re both working on it.”

…the players from the U19s: “There are two, three lads that I’ve been positively surprised by. There’s no one in that group that doesn’t have the potential to make it. Karim and Patrice are already quite advanced for their age, but they’re still very young. The coach will have to decide whether they’re ready to play in the Bundesliga or not. When I got my chance, I’m sure there were some people watching who didn’t have a good feeling about it. I think the lads are very talented and the coach has already proven that he’s able to help young players improve.”

Friedl and Wöber know each other from Austria’s youth national teams already (Photo: W.DE).

…Maximilian Wöber: “I’ve known Maxi for a long time already. He can play at a variety of positions and is very experiences. He’s played in several countries and has been able to experience a lot with the national team as well. He’s the type of person that’s happy to take up responsibility and he’s not shy either. I’m happy that he’s here.”

…Romano Schmid: “Romano left the Yahtzee table because he didn’t play well (grin). Things move quickly in football. For myself, and on behalf of the entire team, I know we are all hoping that he stays here.”

…a planned trip to the swimming pool: “I’m a bit disappointed in my country, because I wanted to show the boys how nice it is here. We would have liked to have been able to do more with our free time, but the weather kept us from doing much. I hope it’s better next year.”

…his return to Bremen: “I’m going to stay here for a few more days and enjoy being here, because I live close by. I’ll fly home on the weekend and will then prepare myself for things to get back underway.”