“I feel total anticipation”

Test matches and preparations are important, but they feel like a bratwurst without mustard (laughs). On Saturday the mustard finally comes into play and I feel such anticipation. In preparation there are hard facts in the sense of: What have we achieved and built up physically? I have a very good feeling in this regard because we got almost all of our players through the preseason injury-free. Then there is the subjective feeling: How is the dressing room developing as a group? I am very positive about that too – especially with the new team council, which is bringing new energy and a clear hierarchy to the team. Everything else is still just guesswork at the moment. We will be able to say more about that after the end of the transfer window and a few games.

Our opening match will be against one of the absolute candidates for promotion. Bochum is one of them due to their financial resources and the players they have brought in and kept, such as Ibrahima Sissoko, Matúš Bero, Timo Horn, and Kevin Vogt. This morning, we talked about Bochum’s target players for set pieces, and we couldn’t even get them all on the same page. In their team, you’re already an outsider if you’re under 1.85 meters tall. Their set piece takers are also of high quality – and that can be a decisive factor in a tight league. That’s why set pieces will play an important role this weekend. But we also have one or two players who can make an impact on set pieces, both at the front and at the back.

On Saturday afternoon, we’ll certainly get a first sense of where we stand. But one thing is clear: the first matchday won’t determine the course of the entire season. We’ll have an initial assessment of where we stand—both in terms of performance and results—compared to one of the strongest squads in the league. But after this matchday, we won’t yet know exactly where we’re headed this season.

We don’t want to let go of any more players, but we’re not at the top of the food chain. Our players‘ performances last season have aroused interest. Therefore, we can’t yet say with absolute certainty what will happen until the end of the transfer window. Only then will we be able to assess more accurately where we’re headed this season. Assuming no further departures—unless an exceptional situation arises—we are very satisfied with the current squad.

We’re delighted to have secured a player like Marco Richter to join us this year. I’ve known him for a long time. Marco is a creative player who finds solutions in tight spaces and is a two-footed player. He possesses a strong counter-pressing instinct and is a true competitor. He fits our profile perfectly in the number 10 positions and will also give us more versatility up front. We’re convinced that Marco can already be a candidate for the match against Bochum. He participated in the entire preseason and is in very good physical condition.

Djanga will be fully integrated back into reserve training on Sunday. Fabi was unfortunately ill during the training camp but has now returned to full training. He’s not currently a candidate for the starting eleven, but given his experience, I would definitely consider him a possible option for the weekend squad.

At the beginning of my time last season, I wasn’t satisfied with Otto. However, after his injury, he returned more mature and completed a solid preseason. He’s worked his way much closer to the team—but not to the point where he can get regular playing time yet. Conversely, I no longer see the Hessenliga as an adequate level for him. Therefore, we believe a loan could make sense for him at this point. Not in the sense that we want to get rid of him, but with the clear goal of him returning next year to seriously compete for playing time. Overall, I see a very positive development in Otto.