Press Conference
02.02.17
“Together with our fans we must give our all”
At the official pre-match press conference ahead of Bay Leverkusen’s visit to the Volksparkstadion, Rothosen boss Markus Gisdol discussed team selection, fan support and the strengths of Bayer.
After the disappointing showing in the 1-3 defeat to fellow strugglers Ingolstadt last time out, the team is keen for a return to winning ways. Gisdol told the media on Thursday: “We have to give the team a chance to make good that performance because our next opponents don’t care how we performed there.” Next up for HSV is a home game against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night (03.02.17, 8.30 PM) at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. Gisdol is hoping that home advantage will help his team. He pointed out to the press: “We have only nine home games left this season and together with our fans we must give our all”
Markus Gisdol on…
… team selection: Gotoku Sakai is suspended and the only other man missing is injured striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga. Everyone else is available. Walace has only trained twice so far, so we will wait until the final session before making a decision on him.
… fan support: It is obvious that we have some making up to do with our fans. I sensed in recent home games how important their support is. We have nine home games left this season and together with the fans we must give our all. It will not be easy and we are grateful to anyone who will get behind us.
… lessons learned from Ingolstadt: I was never a fan of painting over things to make them look better. On the other hand, after changing a few things we have played 8 games and only one of them was bad. Everything gets blown out of proportion because of the situation we are in, but we have to be realistic and give the team a chance to make good because our next opponents don’t care how we performed in Ingolstadt. We start from scratch again!
… New signing Walace: He seems to be in good shape and has pleasantly surprised us. The main thing will be how quickly he can adapt to our way of playing, so it is impossible to give n accurate assessment. Of course I hope that he can help us as soon as possible but we have always said that a 21 year old is not the answer to all of our problems. First and foremost I am glad to have been able to sign a defensive midfielder with a bright future.
… Friday’s opponents: Bayer Leverkusen are one of the best and most intense pressing teams in the league over recent years. We face a tough side which will rarely allowus to breathe. Every game against them is intense and tight. It will be about winning second ball in midfield and getting that ball to the front line. I’m sure it will be an intense game.
… captain Sakai’s replacement: I am no0t thinking about that right now. We will seewho gets picked and then decide who wears the armband. We need more than one skipper on Fridaynight. It does not matter who wears the armband.