Hradecky: ‘Hit the nail on the head’

Lukas, this year you are preparing for the new season in Saalfelden for the first time. What's your first impressions of the new location?

Hradecky: The panorama with the steep mountainsides is obviously impressive. It does us good to have a change of scenery – even though we liked the other accommodation just as much. A big advantage here is the short distance between the hotel and the training ground and the hotel itself is outstanding. We’ll be able to work very well here over the next few days. We are looking forward to the week ahead and close cooperation with the whole team.

It is also the first training camp under Xabi Alonso. Has he given you a slight insight into what's coming up in the next few days and what the main focus will be?

Hradecky: There are lots of sessions on the agenda as well as events with the whole squad away from the pitch. That's important too. The atmosphere between the players, coaches and staff plays a big role if you want to be successful. That will develop even more here.

The signings of Granit Xhaka and Jonas Hofmann have led to great euphoria and anticipation amongst the fans looking forward to the coming season. Do you feel that positive mood as a team as well?

Hradecky: The atmosphere in the team is brilliant. The new lads have integrated well straightaway. They speak German, have loads of experience and bring absolutely the right qualities with them. Therefore, I'm certain that they will fit in brilliantly and contribute their qualities. I'm also very happy for our fans. What they and everybody in general in Leverkusen contributed last season, above all in Europe, was fantastic. Now I'm starting my sixth year at the club and I don't think we've had as many fans and children at the pitch at the start of preseason as we have this summer.

Patrick Schick and Robert Andrich have also travelled and are continuing their programs. How important mentally are days like this in and around the team?

Hradecky: Above all for the two of them it's good to see something else other than the weights room. The environment and the air here are great. That helps everybody including the team and the injured players. It's always better to work together than alone. It was definitely the right decision to take everybody.

For you it is, as previously mentioned, the sixth preseason with Bayer 04 and the ninth as a Bundesliga player. What are you aiming for in the coming season?

Hradecky: We all just want to start the season better than we did last year and are determined to produce a performance and winning culture that will dominate the whole season. Of course, the new players will obviously help. The signings have done us a load of good and we've hit the nail on the head. The dressing room is more settled. For everything to work out we need a good preseason and a good training camp. I definitely have a very good feeling for the coming weeks and months and I am in an absolute positive frame of mind!