The surface was heavy, the challenges demanding and the tempo, at times, high: the successful test friendly against Kasimpasa was the cause of some heavy legs amongst the Cannstatt Boys on Thursday morning. "The condition of the pitch made it very difficult to play, we are however very happy about the first win of our summer preparations," commented Josip Brekalo, speaking with VfB TV on Thursday. In spite of the demands, the players didn’t have much time for respite, with Brekalo & Co. back on the training grounds in Neustift again on Thursday morning at 10:30 CET. After a brief warm-up session, the players were then split into five-a-side teams for action on a reduced pitch. In completing the 100-minute session, the players went through some demanding circuit-training exercises. "I think we have to train this hard if we want to hold our own in the Bundesliga," noted Josip Brekalo.
The 19-year-old Croatian was introduced for the beginning of the second-half against the Turkish top-flight opponents on the previous evening, adding extra pace down the left flank and weighing in with VfB’s intermittent 3-0. Just like the rest of his team mates, the young attacker is eager to recommend himself for a first-choice place in the starting eleven. "I am hoping to play a lot of football in the coming season and that we can get some good results," said Josip Brekalo. To ensure that, Brekalo and his team mates will continue working intensively in Neustift until next Wednesday. The training-camp schedule also includes test friendlies against Asteras Tripolis in Neustift (Saturday, 15:30 CET - live on VfB TV) and Huddersfield in Schwaz (Tuesday, 18:00 - live on Sky Sports News HD).
The Croatian attacker and his Wasenelf colleagues have the opportunity for a longer rest on Thursday afternoon, with the trainer-team granting the players a day off. The next training session is set for Friday afternoon at 16:30 CET, on the SSV Neustift grounds