“We want to create more options with the ball!”

Bruno Labbadia spoke to the media on Wednesday (April 29, 2018) about training, his aims for the seasons and trying to get everyone on the same page.

Trying to get the best out of the players given the current circumstances is a huge issue for everyone at the club at the moment. Bruno Labbadia and his team work twice a day with different groups of the first team on the Schenckendorffplatz and try to get the players in the best possible shape, in compliance with the rules of conduct to contain the corona pandemic. "I firmly believe that you can only get better if you practice things again and again and thus it becomes automatic,” said Labbadia. "We do a lot of prophylaxis and stability training in order to be prepared for the intense football that we have in mind. At the moment we are training well despite the distance but we also increase the intensity when necessary," said the coach. During the interview, the 54-year-old also spoke about...

…current training regimes: We work twice a day and we want to keep up the physical workload. We don't have real competition conditions, but we at least get the boys working by using different training methods. We're also making sure that after such a long break, they're working with the ball as often as possible. We want create more options!”

...the state of the team: It would be presumptuous to say after two and a half weeks together that everything is already going well. But I firmly believe that you can only get better if you repeat things, practice them again and again, and thus it becomes automatic. We also do a lot of prophylaxis and stability training to be prepared for the intense football that we have in mind. At the moment we are training well despite the distance but we also increase the intensity when necessary. We have a clear plan on how we want to control the burden.

…Wednesday’s training sessions: We’re working on set-pieces at the moment. Of course we have to work on them without opponents and jostling in the area, but we can still work on the players' runs. On average, 30 percent of the goals we concede come from set-pieces. Basically, you have to practice that every day.

...cooperation with the authorities: It’s all working out so far. We had an official visit again this week, they were very satisfied with our implementation of the rules. I have already said that I prefer creating solutions to thinking about the problems themselves. We need to practice our new playing style as best we can with our current capabilities. We analyse every session, make the necessary adjustments and do the best we possibly can within the given framework.

…preparation time needed before getting back to playing competitively: Of course we all want to get back to it as soon as possible, but we need time to prepare in order to avoid injuries and to be able to perform to the best of our abilities. We all have to make compromises, but they have to be work for everyone in the sport.

...the analysis and preparation going into training sessions: We visualise things that we want to have implemented with pictures and videos before we practice them. We also record training content and then give players feedback. This is fundamentally important to strengthen the bond we have as a group. We don't have to complicate football unnecessarily, but we have to explore and work on every aspect of our game. I myself learn something from every analysis, it's about details: where’s the space and when does t come about? How do I target each situation? It is also important to analyse your own vulnerabilities again and again in order to then be able to take appropriate measures.

...the regular integration of young players into training: We always give the youngsters a chance because we want to see everyone play. The young players should feel that the door is open to them - but in the end they have to be the ones to burst through it!