Hütter “I’m happy to be back”

Adi Hütter is back with us at Borussia after being out for two weeks due to Coronavirus. The head coach held his first press conference since returning this morning, and we’ve summarised the 52-year-old’s key remarks.

Adi Hütter on...

...his “time out”: Unfortunately, I caught Corona in the week building up to the Hertha game and I suffered from it quite seriously, as I then went on to catch laryngitis. I’m not quite back to 100 per cent yet, but I’m happy to be back. I’d like to take this time to say a huge thank you to my coaching staff, and in particular Christian Peitinger. Things only work when you’re part of a team, and the events of the past weeks have more than proved that. I’d also like to praise the team at this time, and the way in which they approached the matches against Hertha and Bochum. They made it much easier for me to follow the games from my couch, even though it wasn’t nice and also a little strange to not be there.

...communicating with Christian Peitinger during his absence: I’ve got 100 per cent trust in Christian. Our footballing philosophy is about 98% identical, and he did a great job. I made the decision to leave him to his own accord during the games and only had short conversations with our video analyst Philipp Schützendorf. I wasn’t getting in contact to say what he should be doing, but just to share my thoughts on what was happening.

...how he followed the games from home: I was very calm and relaxed during the Hertha match. I couldn’t have had much influence on the game anyway. Christian was allowed to coach the team as he wanted to. I was particularly pleased with our first-half performance. It was exactly how we as a team had imagined it. However, it was certainly very unusual to watch your own team playing on TV.

...his assessment of the matches: We pressed Hertha well and high up the pitch, we didn’t allow them many chances and we were very compact in defence. In the second half, we were a little too passive, which allowed our opposition some opportunities. We also did very well against Bochum. The most important thing was that we took the game by the scruff of the horns. When you play in Bochum, you have to be prepared to fight. Then, in the second half, our quality on the ball was able to shine through. Yann Sommer was of course there to rescue us on one or two occasions.

...the upcoming home match against Mainz: The situation we find ourselves in means that every game is now really difficult and unpleasant. We’ve put in two good performances in our last games, and that’s certainly given us a good boost. However, Mainz are one of those teams that are not easy to play against. They play with passion and launch themselves into every tackle. We’ll need to be ready for a battle. We’ll be at home and we have a chance to move away from the bottom of the league with a win. Just like with every game we play, we’re going to give it our best.

...recent criticism he has faced: I have to respect and accept things that get written about me, but I’m not obliged to read it all. What I really don’t appreciate is when untruths about me get written. I accept justified criticism and that also includes criticism which isn’t pleasant to read.

...how the season has gone up to this point: This season’s been anything but satisfying, and that’s the harsh truth. We’d imagined that it would go a little differently and wished it would have been so. There are certainly factors as to why it’s gone how it’s gone – injuries to players who were in great form being one of them. But despite everything, we’ve also not been able to set the team up in a way which can pick up good results over a long period. That starts with keeping clean sheets. We’ve not had many shutouts this season, and it’s something which we’ll need to work on- I’m a fan of high pressing, attacking football, and I think this is a good way for our team to play. Defending deep certainly isn’t one of our strengths.

...the shining lights of this season: In Joe Scally, Manu Koné, Luca Netz and Jordan Beyer, we’ve been able to integrate four promising young players into the first team. Scally did ever so well in pre-season and more than earned his opportunity. Koné’s also established a place in the team and has made 23 appearances so far this season. Netz is playing really well at the moment, he’s a carefree player and it’s a real joy to watch him develop as a player – just like with Beyer, who’s come on considerably during the campaign.

...Florian Neuhaus, Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram: Florian Neuhaus came under some criticism recently and took it on board, and that’s been the real key to his vast improvement since the turn of the year. Marcus Thuram wasn’t in the best of form but has also got things back on track, and Alassane Plea shows his hunger for goals every week. They’re all doing great right now.

...Jonas Hofmann: Before he got injured, Jonas was in a great run of form. He’d come on leaps and bounds and the numbers he was returning proved that. His (muscle tear) injury and subsequent Corona infection could not have come at a worse time. We hope he gets fit again soon and can come back and help the team.