Following training on Thursday morning, Castro and his team-mate Jens Grahl took part in a thrilling round of football-tennis against Gregor Kobel and Fabian Bredlow. “It was very, very close,” the midfielder told VfB TV with a grin. “Our experience proved the difference in the end.”
Castro was delighted to be working with the ball again - both during and after Thursday’s session - after training separately from the rest of the first-team squad on Wednesday. “It was just a precaution,” the 32-year-old explained. “In the game against Basel I felt a slight twinge in my muscle. We didn’t want to take any risks. Everything’s normal again now, though, and I expect to take full part in our remaining sessions here in Marbella with the rest of the team.”
The veteran midfielder and his colleagues will use the next few days to grow more accustomed to the demands of new head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. “It won’t be possible from one day to the next,” said Castro, who has made 16 appearances in Bundesliga 2 so far this season. “But everyone’s aware of his principles and we’ll approach the coming weeks with optimism.”
With no training scheduled for Thursday afternoon, the VfB squad now have the chance to recover from a tough few days at their winter camp in Marbella. “It’s good to get out for a bit,” added Castro. “A couple of family members are visiting me and I plan on spending the afternoon with them.”