'Very good energy and mentality': Pätzold reviews women's training camp in Rieden

Roberto Pätzold on...

…the 6-0 friendly win against Czech club Slovan Liberec to finish: "We were up against very physical opponents who made life difficult for us in both halves, over 120 minutes in total, with two different teams. We improved as the game went on and had a number of successful set-piece situations, which was a main focus of the training camp. Of course, you're a little tired after such an intensive week, which is why one or two of the decisions were too slow. But we had the opposition completely pinned in their own half and kept the play a long way from our goal. At the end, the spaces became bigger and Liberec couldn't cope with our high tempo anymore. We could've even have scored another goal or two. With all the new signings, you could see the qualities they have and how they'll benefit us." 

…the training camp: "We had top conditions at the hotel complex, the training pitch was actually slightly better than last year and we also had luck with the weather. We were able to use the time outside the training sessions for a lot of individual conversations and analyses, and getting to know the new arrivals. We deliberately didn't pack the schedule too much so that there was enough time off the pitch. Once again, the players who were here last year and the staff made it easy for all of them to quickly feel at home with us. My review of the first stage of pre-season is positive all round. We've established a very good physical basis in the first four weeks. Now we have a one-week break and then it's about fine-tuning."

…the squad rebuild: "Obviously, we have to repeat more fundamental things this summer than last, when there were fewer new players. But pre-season always involves going through every phase of play, even for those who were already here. We have a very good energy and mentality in the team. The footballing quality throughout the squad is very high. That will be particularly important when teams sit deep against us and close the spaces. Then it's about asserting ourselves in the one-v-one duels, being effective and having tempo. We've gained very good additions in these areas with our new signings. I'm really looking forward to seeing that on the pitch in the new season and then building on our performances over the last two seasons."

…the team-building activity in which the players herded sheep: "We want players who accept responsibility. A key point in that is communication, and event like that is there precisely for the team to communicate with each other, interact and fulfil specific tasks together. It was a great idea from our sports psychologist (Simon Borgmann) and a real surprise for the players. In addition, these team-building activities have the effect that players come out of their shell and we see the personalities behind the footballers."

…the competition for places: "The first weeks have already shown that we have great depth in the squad. That's also resulting in an even higher quality and intensity in training than in the last two years. That could certainly be a factor in us having a more successful season."

…the challenges up until the start of the season: "The fact we've done a lot of athletic work obviously leads to fatigue, which can affect the technical quality. We've had a lot of good ideas so far but not a particularly good conversion rate, which is completely understandable. With more freshness and more physical improvement, we'll keep getting better in that area too. As a first-choice line-up gradually emerges towards the start of the season, the quality will automatically increase. We know who we're playing at the start now. We have a very challenging opening set of fixtures, which might take the motivation up a notch because we know we have to be at our best right from the start. Along with the increased competition for places, that's a very good starting position from which to go into the second stage of pre-season."