As the VfB players took to the pitch behind the club centre on Wednesday, there was a familiar face waiting to greet them. Former Stuttgart player and trainer Rainer Adrion had come by to have a look around his old stomping ground. The locally born coach was not just there for fun though, but rather in his function as German Under 21 national team trainer.
Observing young talent
"With Patrick Funk and Daniel Didavi, there are two of my players in the VfB squad. It’s not a long journey for me so I like to come by every now and again to see how they are doing and say hello," explained Adrion. On May 31st, the German eleven will play a friendly game against their counterparts from Portugal. "I like to get some information from the players – what are their plans after the season has finished, how will they be keeping fit, if they are going on holiday or if they have other appointments with the club," said the coach.
Rainer Adrion was also a very interested observant of the session hosted by Bruno Labbadia: "VfB have had a strong second half of the season and have recently put a good run together. On Saturday they must secure their top flight survival. As a Stuttgarter and after such a long time at VfB, I will of course be delighted if they can avoid the drop," commented Adrion.
Watched by the Under 21 coach, the VfB players went through an intensive session, with pressuring the opponent on the ball high up the pitch as the centre of focus. Whilst Johan Audel and Timo Gebhart worked on their respective returns in the VfB-Reha-Welt, Cristian Molinaro and Philipp Degen worked individually with Gerhard Wörn.