Hjulmand ahead of #FCUB04: ‘We are not naive and will be alert’

The training programme has been reduced this week. "Today is matchday +2 and matchday -1, so we’ll have more of a tactical session, but on the pitch this time," explained Kasper Hjulmand at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. "It's mainly about our structure, our positioning and the differences between Olympiacos and Union."

"feel very good" after recent games

The similarities between the previous opponents from the successful UEFA Champions League clash at Olympiacos (2-0) and the Irons from Berlin: "They play a lot of long balls, fight a lot of duels and are similar in the way they press," said Hjulmand, who described the game in the district of Köpenick - in front of 2,500 Bayer 04 fans in the sold-out away section - as "one of the most difficult tasks of the season", also in view of the tight fixture schedule. "But of course we feel very good after the last few games."

The difficult pitch conditions at the An der Alten Försterei stadium will not be a distraction. Hjulmand continued: "We are not naive and will be alert, but we will continue to focus on our game and our approach."

Hjulmand praises attitude of Badé and Oermann

With no absentees compared with the victory in Greece, Hjulmand will once again be able to draw on a full complement of players - including in defence, which has been bolstered by the addition of Edmond Tapsoba, Robert Andrich and Jarell Quansah, only conceding two goals in seven games.

When asked about Loïc Badé, Hjulmand explained: "He brings so much positive energy to the team, even in the dressing room at Olympiacos. Of course, he wants to play and is ready, but he's also a real team player. His qualities are great, we trust him completely." The same also applies to winter signing Tim Oermann: "Tim is in our mind, he's doing well in training and is very alert. We have no problems using him." However, Hjulmand left open the possibility of rotation at the press conference.