When the news came that they would be allowed to travel to Germany for a month as part of the partnership with VfB, there was unbridled joy for Thiago, Uelinton, Ed and Zaba. They had already spoken with Sao Paulo FC players Nicolas and Samuel, who had done the same trip in the spring, and only heard positives from the pair – about the city, the club and the atmosphere. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the excitement for their stay in Stuttgart was great.
First impressions of Germany
On arrival, they experienced an open and warm welcome. “The way we were received was the nicest thing of all,” they explain. Even though the food was a challenge – especially having to do without the daily rice and beans – they found new culinary favourites: apple spritzer and cheesecake.
The VfB stadium particularly impressed them: modern, state of the art, with an atmosphere that they weren’t used to. The visit to VfB’s home match against Mainz was a major highlight. “The atmosphere was ridiculous – in a good way,” they describe. The training pitches and facilities impressed them, too, and allowed them to witness the professionalism of German football at first hand.
Learning on and off the pitch
The training itself was rigorous and structured. Whereas they normally train for an hour in Sao Paulo, the sessions in Stuttgart can last up to two hours – including work in the weight room before and after. This routine, they say, helped them to become mentally stronger and more disciplined.
Tactically, too, a lot was new. Football in Germany is quicker, the ball is played forward more directly and the pressing involving all the players was initially unfamiliar to them. They now want to use that experience in Brazil – a piece of German football culture that they’re bringing home.
Formative experiences
The players gained a lot of enriching experiences away from the pitch as well, exploring Stuttgart, discovering new places and soon feeling welcome.
The German lessons provided a welcome variation – learning football commands was particularly fun and helped them to communicate better on the pitch. Despite minor language barriers, they always found a way to laugh together and make new friends.
In the end, they look back with gratitude on the encounters, the learning and the time they had together in Stuttgart, which will remain in their memories as a formative experience.
