Team
28.11.16
Continue to work focused and intensively
HSV began the training week on Tuesday with temperatures close to zero. As they prepare for the trip to Darmstadt, the Rothosen hope to make the most of the positive aspects while reducing the negatives from their last two matches.
Last week was very intense for the Rothosen, days of full on training at the training camp in Barsinghausen and culminating in the 2-2 home derby draw against Werder Bremen last Saturday (26.11). The three day camp was designed to bring the players closer together as a team. A measure that seemed to bear fruit in the last two games at Hoffenheim and at home to Bremen. The team spirit could be felt from the opening whistle against Werder: “A small plant is slowly growing as is the team spirit. We can only get through it as a team. It is important that we continue to nurture the process.”
"It is slowly growing"
After the drama of last weekend and the 2-2 draw against arch rivals Werder Bremen played inn front of a packed Volksparkstadion, the focus is now solely on the matchday 13 trip to Darmstadt 98. HSV coach Markus Gisdol is hoping to take the positive aspects from the last two matches into the game in Darmstadt on Sunday (04.12.16, 3.30 PM), while trying to eliminate the mistakes being made leading up to conceded goals. He told us: “A couple of weeks ago people were asking if my players could score at all. Now we are creating plenty of chances, scoring goals and through that have the chance to win games. Something is slowly growing. We have to work hard on becoming braver in defence. That is only achievable through training, chatting to individual players and video analysis.”
That is exactly the plan for coming days. The team is intensely focused on the next task in Darmstadt. There were two training sessions on Tuesday at ten in the morning followed by an afternoon session beginning at 3. USA striker Bobby Wood is eligible to play again having served his three game ban. He is a strong alternative for Gisdol up front. There is also good news to report from the Albin Ekdal front: The Swede looks likely to resume first team training on Wednesday. The 27 year old will not however be able to train like the others at first. His ankle has to be carefully monitored on his journey back to full fitness: “He needs to get some more stability into the ankle after all the injuries he has suffered in the past”, explained Gisdol.
Stability is also a key word regarding the team. That will be high on the agenda between now and the trip to Darmstadt.