Team
19.03.17
International break: "Use the time wisely"
Before the Rothosen welcome in-form Cologne to the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Bundesliga matchday 26, there is a break for international games. The key of course is to use the time available wisely.
The HSV posse flew back to Hamburg on Sunday morning (19.03) following the 0-0 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt at the Commerzbank Arena on Saturday evening. Coach Markus Gisdol and his men took a vital point home with them from what was a scrappy game. It was the seventh point to be taken from the last three matches and cost a lot of strength on the boggy rain-soaked pitch. The players were given Sunday off by Gisdol and ordered to report back to training on Monday afternoon at 3.00 PM.
Seven Rothosen on international duty
Gisdol will as usual have a depleted squad to work with during the international break after Albin Ekdal, Go Sakai, Michael Gregoritsch, Filip Kostic, Johan Djourou, Gideon Jung and Vasilije Janjicic were all called up to their respective national teams: “We of course hope that the lads return to Hamburg having enjoyed success and of course unscathed if possible”, said Gisdol. One man called up but not going is USA striker Bobby Wood, who will remain in Hamburg for treatment on a back injury which forced him off in Frankfurt. A full examination will take place over coming days.
Markus Gisdol intends to use the break for intense work with the remaining men although he points out: “We are in good shape right now so the break comes at a wrong time for us. It is always better to have everyone on board in training that having to work in smaller groups with less players at your disposal.” The break is also a chance to deal with slight knocks being carried by certain players. The Rothosen coach knows: “That we have to use the available time wisely.”