LUKAS PODOLSKI ON…
… his role in the team: I never took my place in the squad for granted, but I do have an important role and I am definitely not here just to be the team mascot. I have a lot of experience. This will be my seventh tournament and so the manager knows how to utilise me on and off the pitch.
... his targets for the EUROs: The aim is to become European champions, and everyone else will have to wait their turn. I am proud to be here. My personal target is to push on in training, and if I play, I want to try to seize my opportunity.
... his teammates and Ascona: We have, as always, top facilities here. The others have been around the place a bit longer. I only got here a couple of days ago, but I am fully fit and raring to go.
MARIO GOMEZ ON...
... the training camp in Ascona: I feel good and the facilities are great, but unfortunately we have had a bit of rain over the past few days. There is a really high intensity in training and all of the players are getting on really well.
... the manager’s preferred system of play: I don’t know. All I can say is that I have seen the false nine used in many games and the team have really impressed me. It is definitely something a bit different, but we will see match by match what his preferred system is. This variability is good to see, and that is what we are working on in training. It can only count as an advantage in the tournament.
... his season in Turkey: This year was extremely important, in order to get back into a rhythm. I am very happy with how the season went and my aim was always to be a part of this great team again. I have never felt this good in my entire career.
created by mmc/mb
The EUROs squad has been announced, and preparation for the friendly against Hungary on Saturday in Gelsenkirchen is under way (18:00, live on ZDF and the Fan-Club-Radio at laut.fm/dfbfanclubradio). Beforehand, assistant manager Marcus Sorg, as well as Germany players Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski spoke about how things stand at the team camp in Ascona.
MARCUS SORG ON...
... the condition of Bastian Schweinsteiger: he is definitely on target and physically in very good shape. We will try to progress more in footballing terms over the next few days, so that he can play a valuable role for us in the tournament. We always wait to see how he reacts after training, so we are taking it day by day. Regarding his playing ability there is still something missing, but we have got enough time to bring him up to speed.
... Mats Hummels’ fitness: He has started doing some running on his own, which is very pleasing. There is a very clear idea of how the injury should heal and we are observing his development every day. We are counting on him being back next week.
... the arrival of Toni Kroos: He is arriving at the team hotel this evening.
... Marco Reus’s health: He has had some problems for a while now. He worked strenuously with the medical team every day in order to get himself better, but unfortunately he didn’t quite manage it. A positive prognosis wasn’t possible and therefore we had to make this difficult decision.
... the expectations in training: It’s important for us, after all of the individual scrutiny of the past few days, to put the pieces of the team puzzle back together. With this in mind, we held a training match yesterday on the pitch, involving all match-fit players. All of the players were intensively worked today, focussing individually on the athletic side of the game.
... the EUROs dress rehearsal against Hungary: We are obviously looking forward to it, but nevertheless, our opening match against Ukraine on 12th June takes full priority. We are certain that we will come up against a team who will deliver a real challenge.
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LUKAS PODOLSKI ON…
… his role in the team: I never took my place in the squad for granted, but I do have an important role and I am definitely not here just to be the team mascot. I have a lot of experience. This will be my seventh tournament and so the manager knows how to utilise me on and off the pitch.
... his targets for the EUROs: The aim is to become European champions, and everyone else will have to wait their turn. I am proud to be here. My personal target is to push on in training, and if I play, I want to try to seize my opportunity.
... his teammates and Ascona: We have, as always, top facilities here. The others have been around the place a bit longer. I only got here a couple of days ago, but I am fully fit and raring to go.
MARIO GOMEZ ON...
... the training camp in Ascona: I feel good and the facilities are great, but unfortunately we have had a bit of rain over the past few days. There is a really high intensity in training and all of the players are getting on really well.
... the manager’s preferred system of play: I don’t know. All I can say is that I have seen the false nine used in many games and the team have really impressed me. It is definitely something a bit different, but we will see match by match what his preferred system is. This variability is good to see, and that is what we are working on in training. It can only count as an advantage in the tournament.
... his season in Turkey: This year was extremely important, in order to get back into a rhythm. I am very happy with how the season went and my aim was always to be a part of this great team again. I have never felt this good in my entire career.
