Everything is new in Gladbach - just not the team. Coach Farke has only one newcomer so far. The start of training was satisfactory.
Mönchengladbach (dpa / lnw) - Daniel Farke arrived quickly at Borussia Mönchengladbach. "It's very, very special here in Mönchengladbach. I've found a very familiar club here with a lot of positive energy," said the Bundesliga club's new head coach after the start of training on Sunday. Almost 2,000 fans came to Borussia Park to watch the first sessions under Adi Hütter's successor on the Fohlenplatz. "It was an incredibly friendly and supportive welcome. It feels a bit like home," said the 45-year-old.
Farke also used the first 90-minute training session for many discussions and explanations. The new head coach kept interrupting training and trying to communicate with the team. "He has to get an idea of the team first," said captain Lars Stindl, who was one of the 22 players at the first training session; twelve players were still missing. However, opinions differed when it came to classifying the intensity. It was not an easy unit for Stindl, Farke spoke of an "easy gallop". His explanation: "The preparation is no picnic for the boys".
For the time being, the team is largely the same as last year. With Oscar Fraulo (FC Midtjylland) there is a young new player in the team, and a defensive midfielder is urgently needed. One candidate is the Japanese Ko Itakura, who last played for FC Schalke 04 and is under contract with Manchester City. Farke knows that it doesn't work without new players. "We need a good transfer summer. But you also have to be realistic. It's not all easy," said the 45-year-old.
So the team is not going to be completely rebuilt. "There's a lot of talk about a huge upheaval, but it doesn't have to be that, it's more like a few targeted changes. I think the basic structure is good," said sports director Roland Virkus in an interview with the "Rheinische Post". Players who can cover many positions are particularly sought after. Decisive for the personnel situation will also be who leaves the club.
Before the training camp at Tegernsee begins next weekend, the first test match against newly promoted third division team Rot-Weiss Essen (7:00 p.m.) is scheduled for next Friday. The team plays a total of six friendlies and takes part in the blitz tournament in Duisburg with two games over 45 minutes.
