Hütter: “Show that they want to win the game from the first whistle”

Head coach Adi Hütter and sporting director Max Eberl faced the press ahead of Saturday’s match against SpVgg Greuther Fürth (15:30 CET).

Head coach Adi Hütter on...

... the personnel situation: Nico Elvedi and Breel Embolo will still miss out following the Mainz game. We're hoping that Ramy Bensebaini comes back fully fit from the international break. Christoph Kramer is still carrying a knock, and Saturday is still too early for Stefan Lainer to return. We’re spread quite thin defensively with both Jordan Beyer and Tony Jantschke still sidelined, so Tom Gaal or Michael Wentzel may also be included in the squad.

... the upcoming opponents: We’re closely analysing footage of the opponent. Fürth have been unfortunate with results at times. Most recently against Frankfurt they played well for large parts of the game.  They always try to play out from the back and play expansive football, which is always going to make them a threatening side.

... what he’s expecting from his team: We respect every opponent, but in this game we are playing the role of favourites and we need to get used to it. I want my team to show that they want to win the game from the first whistle.

... discussions with Florian Neuhaus: Max and I spoke with Florian Neuhaus yesterday. We felt it was important to ask him what he meant by what said is his recent interview. We are all for honest and open communication and so it was an important discussion for all of us. I think it was a good and fruitful conversation. We cleared a lot of stuff up, and now we can move on from it in a positive manner.

... the remaining games before the winter break: The table is finalised in May and not at Christmas. It’s not about where we are in the league, but about how many points we have. We want to pick up as many points as possible and above all we want to pick up points away from home as well. Our home form is good, we’re still unbeaten at BORUSSIA-PARK, but we can always improve on our performances.

... Marcus Thuram’s fitness levels: It was a bit soon to sub on Marcus against Mainz. He got a good run out up until half-time, but then he found it a bit tougher after the break, so we need to be careful with how we ease him back into it. He can’t just come back after months out and play 90 minutes at the highest intensity. You need to give players time. Marcus built up some fitness during the international break and so of course he’s an option for Saturday.

Sporting director Max Eberl on...

... expiring player contracts: We’re working hard with players and their agents to arrange contact extensions. Whether we can come to an agreement or not is still unclear. Lots of things have to come together for that to happen. As sporting director, I’m trying to fight to get these extensions over the line for players such as Matthias Ginter, Denis Zakaria, Jordan Beyer and Patrick Herrmann.

... Jonas Hoffman’s development: We signed Jonas Hofmann because we saw a lot of potential in him, which he’s living up to now. He’s come on tremendously as a player in the last two-and-a-half years, earning a spot in the Germany national team squad, which not everyone can say they have done. Jonas is a fine example that not all players are the finished product at 22 or 23. But I didn’t expect him to be playing right-back, though, I’ll be honest (laughs)!

... the current COVID-19 situation: We’re sticking to the rules set by the government, but we won’t be any stricter than necessary. It’s all run very smoothly at our ground so far, the spectators are very disciplined and keep to the rules. If it becomes the case that only fans with proof of vaccination or recovery are allowed to enter the stadium, we will implement these laws as best as possible.

... a possible compulsory vaccination for all footballers: No one is forced to get the jab in Germany. We can only encourage and work towards vaccinating as much of the population as we can. Here at Borussia, almost 100% of our squad are fully vaccinated, which pleases me, because we’re role models for our supporters.