#B04imSchwarzwald – Intensive training and lots of fans

After breakfast it was get on your bikes for the Werkself. After a two kilometre ride the players were greeted by around 400 fans at the sports ground – several of the children had secured a place amongst the trees next to the pitch. With Bratwurst and beer in brilliant sunshine, spectators followed the action on the outstandingly tended pitches otherwise the home ground of South Baden District League side SV Aasen – also used by Spain during Euro 2024. A state-of-the-art athletics marquee was left at the facility after the European champions left.

"proximity to the fans is exceptional"

The decision of the German double winners to hold this year's training camp in Donaueschingen was eagerly welcomed by SV Aasen. Matthias Reddemann, managing director and at the club since 2003: "Interaction with the management, the players and the coaching staff is very straightforward and friendly. The proximity to the travelling fans is exceptional and that's not always the case when teams come here." A maximum of two clubs per summer can use the facilities at SV Aasen for their training camps. The district league team train on a neighbouring pitch in the evening.

in summer temperatures: FIRST Werkself session in Donaueschingen

The first training session started with a thorough warm-up routine in the marquee. Then it was onto the pitch to work in front of around 400 travelling fans. A range of passing drills was followed by games in two teams on the main pitch. It was clear to see that the batteries of head coach Xabi Alonso are fully charged again after a well deserved break and that the motivation is huge. The Spaniard was energetic in distributing the ball and in providing vocal instruction to his players.

Rolfes: "new book with empty pages"

After the morning session, sporting managing director Simon Rolfes spoke to a large number of media representatives on the pitch and he expressed his enthusiasm for the facilities: "The hotel and the training ground are of enormously high quality. Perhaps it is a good omen that we are training here following on from Spain." Rolfes was also enthusiastic about the large number of fans: "I didn't actually reckon we'd have so many here in the country. (He laughed) But that shows we were also able to thrill neutral spectators with our football. I'm particularly happy that so many children are here. That was the case last week in Leverkusen too. Our players take time out for one and all and that's great to see."

The aim of the training camp and the three forthcoming friendlies within a week is "to get physically and mentally in a competitive mode," said the 42-year-old. And he added: "There's more and more intensity. The level is rising. All the lads are in good shape and there is healthy competition."

The sporting managing director described last season as "a wonderful book but the last chapter has been written and is now in the cupboard." Rolfes is therefore looking forwards: "Now there's a new book with empty pages and we'll see how it ends. That's the exciting thing in football and that's why we want to lay the foundations here – that players stay fit, we learn things and produce the best possible outcome."

Football tennis and work-out in the afternoon

The players spent the second session in the afternoon in the athletic marquee. With temperatures of 30 degrees outside, Wirtz and Co. started with a mini football tennis tournament in four teams in the shade – it was at times acrobatic. That was followed by a comprehensive work-out. On the way to the bicycles, the Werkself players happily met the requests for autographs and selfies before setting off to the team hotel for a communal evening meal – where an intensive day of training came to a relaxed end.

outlook: two sessions on the pitch

he Werkself will complete two training sessions on the SV Aasen pitch tomorrow (Tuesday) – at 10.30 CEST and at 17.00 CEST. For both sessions, the first part will be open and the second behind closed doors.