"We have to be tighter at the back"

The aim is clear. Bruno Labbadia and Michael Preetz spoke at a press conference on Thursday (14/01/21). They discussed the upcoming game away to FC Köln, clear expectations for their own team and the situation regarding injuries.

Bruno Labbadia had already spoken on Monday to outline the gameplan for the match in Cologne on Saturday (16/01/21, 15:30 CET). His team has to wake up and shake off any bad feeling that remains from the defeat to Bielefeld. “Obviously we were all disappointed, but as a coach it is important to pick the players up quickly right now and give them a boost. We do that with clear instructions but also the message that we believe in their quality,” said the coach at Thursday’s press conference (14/01/21), sticking by his previous statement. The coach has set some clear demands for his team: “We need a high intensity in Cologne. In Bielefeld we didn’t get that right as a team, but that’s exactly what we’re demanding.”

The squad that will aim to pick up points in the cathedral city on matchday 16 is somewhat decimated. Joining long-term injury absentees Dedryck Boyata (foot) and Javairô Dilrosun (knee) on the sidelines are Márton Dárdai and Eduard Löwen, who were both ruled out at short notice with muscle problems last weekend. Also among the flood of injuries is Marvin Plattenhardt, who is dealing with a similar muscle complaint. There are also question marks over the availability of Jessic Ngankam, Matheus Cunha (groin) and Vladimir Darida (foot). "It’s definitely not ideal that we have one or two absentees. We have to be tighter at the back and work well with one another,” said Labbadia. Michael Preetz gave similar thoughts. “The players know the situation that we are in. It angers them and they know that we have to achieve better results,” said the sporting director.

Bruno Labbadia had already spoken on Monday to outline the gameplan for the match in Cologne on Saturday (16/01/21, 15:30 CET). His team has to wake up and shake off any bad feeling that remains from the defeat to Bielefeld. “Obviously we were all disappointed, but as a coach it is important to pick the players up quickly right now and give them a boost. We do that with clear instructions but also the message that we believe in their quality,” said the coach at Thursday’s press conference (14/01/21), sticking by his previous statements. The coach has set some clear demands for his team: “We need a high intensity in Cologne. In Bielefeld we didn’t get that right as a team, but it’s exactly what we’re demanding.”

The squad that will aim to pick up points in the cathedral city on matchday 16 is somewhat decimated. Joining long-term injury absentees Dedryck Boyata (foot) and Javairô Dilrosun (knee) on the sidelines are Márton Dárdai and Eduard Löwen, who were both ruled out at short notice with muscle problems last weekend. Also among the flood of injuries is Marvin Plattenhardt, who is dealing with a similar muscle complaint. There are also question marks over the availability of Jessic Ngankam, Matheus Cunha (groin) and Vladimir Darida (foot). "It’s definitely not ideal that we have one or two absentees. We have to be tighter at the back and work well with one another,” said Labbadia. Michael Preetz gave similar thoughts. “The players know the situation that we are in. It angers them and they know that we have to achieve better results,” said the sporting director.