First training session in Brixental: “It will be ten very intense days”

Clear focus on the basics and a head coach in good spirits at training camp

Under sunny skies and with a magnificent landscape in the background, the first training session took place in Tirol’s Brixental. After arriving the previous day and completing an initial activation run, the team headed out onto the football pitch for the first time late on Tuesday morning. Conditions on the SV Wörgl pitch were perfectly in keeping with the heavenly scenery. “The pitch was in exceptionally good condition. The lads trained very well. Looking at what is still to come, that is a good start,” said head coach Urs Fischer, drawing a first positive conclusion after the opening session of the training camp.

Focus on foundations and returning players

The first session consisted of a mix of foundations and speed work. After a short warm-up, the outfield players completed several passing drills and small-sided games. Between the individual exercises, the Mainz 05 first-team players repeatedly had to make intensive sprints. “Football is an intermittent sport. You always have to be able to run at different intensities, but you can also recover at certain moments,” Fischer explained. Training was rounded off with a dynamic game-based exercise.

The World Cup participants who have joined up with the squad, Kaishu Sano, Nadiem Amiri and Jae-sung Lee, were on the training pitch for the first time in pre-season. Following their delayed return, they will be carefully brought back up to the team’s training level. “The goal this week is for them to play 45 minutes in one of the two games at the weekend.” Benedict Hollerbach was also back on the training pitch. After his long injury lay-off, he is now back with the squad and gradually working his way back into full team training.

The workload and intensity will not be slowed down by the new arrivals. Quite the opposite. “These ten days will be intense. I won’t be dissuaded from that. This afternoon we’re heading to the gym, tomorrow afternoon there will be active recovery, and the players will have Sunday off. This programme is almost pleasant,” Fischer said with a smile. During this “free time”, the players will have the opportunity to explore Brixental and get to know each other better on a personal level.

The team’s first real test awaits on Friday, when they face Shabab Al-Ahli at the Grenzlandstadion in Kufstein at 16:00. Tickets for the match, as well as for Saturday’s meeting with Udinese Calcio, will be available at the ticket offices on site. Tickets cost €15 each, while children up to and including the age of twelve can attend free of charge.

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