Kraft, “I accept my role – and want to help”

Schladming – Loud echoes over the pitch. The instructions could be heard up to row Z in the Athletic Area Schladming; but the orders were not coming from coach Pál Dárdai this time, who steps in, advises and adjusts the formation of his protégés time and time again. The words come from Thomas Kraft. Regular spectators of Blue-Whites training sessions know that the keeper doesn’t just want to support and motivate his teammates in the Austrian training camp. Kraft also encourages his peers with a certain sharpness on the Schenckendorffplatz in Berlin at the top of his voice.

Also, a not yet completely healed nasal bone fracture cannot curb Kraft’s passion to improve in Styria, where the Hertha keeper is under pressure to work on his fitness until Sunday. Berlin’s second-choice keeper took the time to talk to herthabsc.de between the two training sessions on Tuesday.

herthabsc.de: Thomas, we see you sometimes with, sometimes without your face guard on the training pitch. How is your nose?

Thomas Kraft: My nose doesn’t hurt anymore, the fracture happened almost two weeks ago. The type of break is such that it could become kind of ‘more broken’. In the worst-case scenario I would have to have it operated on. The mask provides better protection, although the visual restrictions are of course huge. That’s why I try to play without it at a few sessions which are less risky for us goalkeepers. I broke my jawbone and cheekbone once before and they healed after three weeks. I’ll see sometime next week how well or whether the nasal bone has rejoined and then decide whether I still need the mask.

herthabsc.de: There probably isn’t a single player who rejoices at the exhausting pre-season training sessions. As a goalkeeper, how do you find this time of the year?

Kraft: We goalkeepers have done lots of exercises with the outfield players, even though we didn’t have to complete everything. At some point we change our focus to different kinds of exercises that are without a doubt intensive, but it’s not as intensive as what the outfield players go through when you look at the individual sessions. However, the pre-season preparation for us goalkeepers is generally more intense than during the season too.

herthabsc.de: You extended your contract with the capital club in April. What were the pivotal factors for this decision?

Kraft: There were several reasons for that. My family and I feel very at home in Berlin. Also, Hertha BSC is a club at which I feel in very good hands. I’ve been here a few years now (grins). These days, I’m the longest-serving player behind Lusti. I feel that I’ve further developed here and can continue to do so in the future.

herthabsc.de: In the 2015/16 season, you lost your place as the regular keeper to Rune Jarstein, but nevertheless have accepted the number 2 role without a murmur. On the contrary, you serve the team without hesitation. Does that not get difficult for you at some point?

Kraft: When I extended the contract, I asked myself whether I see any sporting opportunities for myself – and I do see them. I have no problem identifying with the number 2 role and accepting it. But it’s also clear that I still see the chance to make appearances. I was the first-choice keeper for a long time, then I became injured unfortunately – that’s life. But I’m not losing sleep over it.

herthabsc.de: How can you drive your fellow keepers to achieve their best?

Kraft: I became a professional player at 17. With time, you learn to understand your role without hurting yourself. I try to take a position to help the entire team. If I think there are problems or there’s a lot to catch up on at any point, I address it and work on a fix. It’s the same in my daily work with Rune, Jonathan Klinsmann and goalkeeping coach Zsolt Petry.

herthabsc.de: Pál Dárdai doesn’t pass up any opportunity to praise you for your professional attitude. He values your opinion and tries to talk regularly. How much do you enjoy this appreciation?

Kraft: It comes naturally to me to voice my true opinion. I definitely speak more with the coaching team and I try to contribute. I think it’s important to express yourself clearly. That isn’t anything special in my eyes, though.

herthabsc.de: You’ll be playing in three competitions in the upcoming campaign. How important is a good team spirit to overcome this challenge?

Kraft: We keepers must cope with more of a mental strain than physical. Maintaining your concentration is harder when there are three games in a week, which was a challenge this season. Team spirit is also important; we undoubtedly have a quality squad, but our spirit has helped us to be so successful in the last two years. When things are not going so well, it’s all the more important to be united as a team.