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27.07.2022Bayer 04

Seoane: Good balance between fun and focus

Five days before the first competitive match for the Werkself in the new 2022/23 season on Saturday 30 July against SV 07 Elversberg in the DFB Cup (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the players led by head coach Gerardo Seoane are on the home straight of the pre-season. After the second and final open training session of the week, the Swiss coach answered questions from the media on the start of the season. The 43-year-old manager shared his views on the current performance levels of his team, Amine Adli's return to training, targets for the season and the first round of the DFB Cup.
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Gerardo Seoane on…

… the current shape of the Werkself: We are happy we didn't have any injuries from the training camp. Of course, there are always a couple of knocks but that's all part of this phase. We were able to get a short break afterwards and now we have done well getting back into training again over the first two days. The physical state of all the players is different and that means that recovery isn't the same. The players, who have been injured longer for example, always react differently to stresses and strains but that's also completely normal. We are on the right track overall.

... the comeback plan for Amine Adli: This week he's been able to take in parts of full training. That's the first step from controlled to unrestricted training. Before, he just worked in twos and now he is in the group and doing the first drills but he is also training on his own at times. At the end of the week he will have tests that include checking his strength levels. Amin did not have straightforward injury and problems can occur again, above all if the workload is too big. But we are happy and I believe we can fully reintegrate him in the coming two weeks and then he'll definitely need one or two more weeks before he is able to play again.

… the upcoming match against SV 07 Elversberg: We should be aware that it's a knockout match against a professional team. Of course, I'd say we shouldn't normally lose it. But you also have to realise that the opponents have been in action for several weeks and have played several games and, on top of that, it's a cup game where anything can happen. Therefore, we're taking these opponents absolutely seriously as with any other opposition.

… targets for the new season: It's positive that the team has more or less stayed the same. We have both depth and quality in the squad and with Adam (Hlozek, ed.) gained another exciting player on top of that. Therefore, we can take a lot of insights and confidence from last season but we can't take any points with us. We want to improve in a lot of areas to be able to achieve better results. I feel good after the pre-season. The players have shown spirit and a good balance between fun and focus. You can see the ambition of the lads in training. You can feel a healthy aggression and necessary respect at the same time. We believe in our ability but we all know that the season starts with no points on the board.

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