Hjulmand ahead of #SCFB04: ‘We are only focussed on this game and the opponent’

"We took a step forward in Hamburg, especially in terms of our performance," declared Kasper Hjulmand at the pre-match press conference on Friday morning, looking ahead to the game at SC Freiburg who are unbeaten in 16 matches at the Europa Park Stadion. "They've also done very well in Europe so far (seventh place in the Europa League league phase, ed). You have to congratulate them," said Hjulmand, whose team will have the support of 1,900 travelling Bayer 04 fans.

At SCF, "we want to be proactive again, get a win and take the next step. It will be important for us to be more clinical in front of goal and win games earlier," continued the Dane.

The 53-year-old is not worried his players might already be thinking about the upcoming matches against Arsenal in the Champions League and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga: "I can tell they are focussed on tomorrow. One hundred per cent."

Trio on yellow caRDS – PRAISE FOR ACADEMY

The three Werkself players Edmond Tapsoba, Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia go into the game against Freiburg on four yellow cards each. If they receive a further caution in Freiburg, they will have to sit out next Saturday's game against Bayern Munich. Hjulmand: "That doesn't play a role in our planning. Freiburg are the most important thing now. It's more about management with regard to possible injuries, and we can't take any risks."

That also applies to Patrik Schick, who missed the clash at HSV due to muscular problems. The decision on whether the Czechia striker will be travelling to Freiburg will be made after the final pre-match training session at midday. On Wednesday at the Volksparkstadion, the 30-year-old was replaced by youngster Christian Kofane, who who scored the only goal of the game . Hjulmand on the Cameroonian: "Christian didn't just score the goal, he also worked very hard and pressed well. It was a great performance."

There were also positive words for Montrell Culbreath. The winger from the Bayer 04 U19s made his first start in Hamburg. Hjulmand: "Big praise for our academy and the people who work there. Montrell has trained very well with us for many weeks and has now also played really well. The most important thing for me is that he's simply having fun on the pitch. He wasn't scared, you could just see him enjoying the game."

goalkeepers give "so much positivity to the team"

Hjulmand also identified the role of experienced players in his squad in helping young players like Culbreath to express themselves: "They are very important. They provide support and ensure that young players can perform."

That also applies to the goalkeepers. When asked about a potentially difficult decision as to who will play when Mark Flekken returns, Hjulmand said: "It's very good for the team and the club that it's a difficult decision for me as a coach. Mark is a great keeper, Janis (Blaswich ed.) as well. Our goalkeepers, including Jonas (Omlin) and Lombo (Niklas Lomb), give the team so much positivity. That's how it should be and that's the only way success is possible."