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Professionals, 24. April 2019

“It’s about being active and willing to attack”

At Wednesday’s press conference ahead of the home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, VfB interim coach Nico Willig spoke about the current situation and Saturday’s clash with the Foals.

VfB interim coach Nico Willig on…

…how to get through to his players:
“In our situation and with so little time available, it’s important to inject emotion and energy into the team and obviously help them enjoy their football and our daily work. I want to transmit this energy and strength to my players. If we make this journey together, we can do it. On the one hand we need to tighten things up, but it’s also about understanding the players in order to get through to them, get them on your side and help steer them in a new direction. My door is open to every player.”

…his style of play:
“I want us to adopt an active style. It’s about developing a willingness to attack at every opportunity and being constantly switched on, as I often tell the lads. Only then will we be alert during all phases of the game and be able to put our stamp on proceedings. This constant willingness to attack is my philosophy and my way of playing football – coupled with emotion, motivation and enjoyment in what we do.”

...his expectations of the team:
“I expect my team to hold onto the fun, effort, momentum and passion of this week and transmit that onto the pitch. In our home game against Gladbach, we want to go out there and show that we’re prepared to attack, go forward and put pressure on them. We need to have enjoyment and a hunger to pick up momentum in our battle for survival, to take steps forward and to get points on the board. I want to see it in my players’ eyes and in their body language.”

…his appointment until the end of the season:
“That actually makes things easier for me. I view the time until the end of the season as a project into which I can invest all my energy. The agreement was my idea and very much what I had in mind. Thomas [Hitzlsperger] and I are completely on the same page.”