Training camp
18.01.20
Hecking: “We’re happy with the work we’ve done here”
Saturday was HSV’s last day in Portugal before travelling to Basel, with coach Dieter Hecking more than pleased with the week’s work in the warmer climes of Lagos.
The Rothosen’s time in Portugal is drawing to a close yet the hard work is not quite over, as the squad try to implement everything they have been practicing during the next friendly, against 20-time Swiss champions FC Basel 1893 on Sunday, (kick-off 3:00pm CET). Once back in the safe haven of Hamburg on Sunday night after the game, the squad and coaching staff will be able to look back on a week well spent, whether it be on the training pitch, in the gym or playing against FC Seoul, laying the foundations for the upcoming 16 games. Just before departure, the manager gave his reflections on a week in the sun in Lagos.
Dieter Hecking on…
… the focus of the training sessions: We worked on our areas of emphasis and where we could improve from the Hinrunde; our compactness without the ball, switching from attack to defence and gegenpressing. We were able to improve in all three areas because the lads understood what it was they were doing and that everybody had to pull their weight. In the next few days, we’ll be working on having that cutting edge and element of surprise in attack that served us so well at the start of the season.
.. the lessons learned: It was frustrating that Aaron Hunt and Martin Harnik weren’t able to train with the rest of the team due to injuries. All in all it was a very positive week, because we were able to train with a big group and you could see during the friendly with FC Seoul that the team wanted to implement the tactical things we’d been working on in training. That’s a good step to take and more important than the results of the games.
… the new signings: The option to sign Louis Schaub as an additional option in attack came about spontaneously. And that we had to do something at right-back, had been clear for a while and as such had been built into the transfer planning. We’re very happy that we could find a very good solution to the problem with the signing of Jordan Beyer. All three of us (Jonas Boldt and Michael Mutzel) were certain that both players fitted in well and would be able to strengthen the squad.
… the youth players: We brought Travian Sousa with us because we‘re a bit lacking in the left-back department. There are lots of things that he still has to learn tactically, but he’s made very good progress within a very short amount of time. Anssi Suhonen and Jonah Fabisch are already well on their way and are clear about what they want to do in their mind, and were able to underline their good performances in training with how they played against Seoul. The trio will head back to the under-19s soon, but I can definitely see them taking part in first team training more often in the future.
… his conclusion: It’s normal that the squad is tired at the end of the training camp and because of the amount of sessions is lacking that mental freshness as well as the physical freshness. All in all I’m happy because the team pulled through and the squad is looking fit and ready for the Rückrunde.