Nagelsmann and Vogt about game vs Shakhtar
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
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Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann and captain Kevin Vogt gave a press conference before tomorrow's encounter with Shakhtar
Julian Nagelsmann, Hoffenheim manager:
About the opponents and tactical duel: Shakhtar are very strong tactically, with the team's performance being highly variable. The opponents used different formations in previous seasons: with three or four defenders, even 2-5-1-1. But I, of course, am not going to tell you today about our formation choice. What kind of football we will display, whether we will build the play around defence or begin to attack more - you will see all that tomorrow.
On the personnel situation: When up to eight players have got certain injuries, it's difficult to cope with that, but we continue training and we’ve got certain requirements to everyone. We are facing a crucial game, and I am asking the players to give their all, regardless of whether they are injured or not. Names wise, Ermin Bicakcic won’t appear on the pitch, we’re now deciding on the participation in training and games of Joshua Brenet, while Kevin Akpoguma and Kerem Demirbay are in good shape. As for Florian Grillitsch, that’s quite a different matter.
About the opponents and tactical duel: Shakhtar are very strong tactically, with the team's performance being highly variable. The opponents used different formations in previous seasons: with three or four defenders, even 2-5-1-1. But I, of course, am not going to tell you today about our formation choice. What kind of football we will display, whether we will build the play around defence or begin to attack more - you will see all that tomorrow.
On the personnel situation: When up to eight players have got certain injuries, it's difficult to cope with that, but we continue training and we’ve got certain requirements to everyone. We are facing a crucial game, and I am asking the players to give their all, regardless of whether they are injured or not. Names wise, Ermin Bicakcic won’t appear on the pitch, we’re now deciding on the participation in training and games of Joshua Brenet, while Kevin Akpoguma and Kerem Demirbay are in good shape. As for Florian Grillitsch, that’s quite a different matter.
It’s hard to suffer one or two defeats and, three days later, in an entirely different environment, to play in the Champions League, but we’ve got to get used to it and learn to save our strength to demonstrate some quality football regardless of the previous results
About readiness for the Champions League: It’s hard to suffer one or two defeats and, three days later, in an entirely different environment, to play in the Champions League, but we’ve got to get used to it and learn to save our strength to demonstrate some quality football regardless of the previous results. That’s actually a long process, and we’ve been playing at this level for just the second year. It’s necessary to gain experience and learn to spare our strength in the best possible way.
On his UCL debut: I don’t even know who to thank for this situation: the team without the coach can’t achieve this result, but the coach without the team can’t achieve this either. I want to thank my players for my participating in the Champions League at age 31. The historical moment for me? It all depends on tomorrow's match. Success has many components: the goals we set, the efforts we make, a bit of talent and the right company to help us focus on football and achieve this result.
Kevin Vogt, Hoffenheim captain:
About the opponents: We analysed Shakhtar's play and we know how difficult it will be, we understand that the opponents are really strong offensively and how much talented footballers will play against us tomorrow. There are many outstanding personalities in the team. And, at the same time, all this means that we have set ourselves an ambitious task and will fulfil it, striving to claim as many points as possible in tomorrow's game.
About Nagelsmann: It's hard to tell briefly about what it's like to play with this coach at the helm. I can only mention that we have to work really hard, and also to analyse many games of both the past and this season. Julian made a huge contribution to the success of our team. Credit for our current standing largely goes to him. He perfectly fulfils the talents of his players.
On his UCL debut: I don’t even know who to thank for this situation: the team without the coach can’t achieve this result, but the coach without the team can’t achieve this either. I want to thank my players for my participating in the Champions League at age 31. The historical moment for me? It all depends on tomorrow's match. Success has many components: the goals we set, the efforts we make, a bit of talent and the right company to help us focus on football and achieve this result.
Kevin Vogt, Hoffenheim captain:
About the opponents: We analysed Shakhtar's play and we know how difficult it will be, we understand that the opponents are really strong offensively and how much talented footballers will play against us tomorrow. There are many outstanding personalities in the team. And, at the same time, all this means that we have set ourselves an ambitious task and will fulfil it, striving to claim as many points as possible in tomorrow's game.
About Nagelsmann: It's hard to tell briefly about what it's like to play with this coach at the helm. I can only mention that we have to work really hard, and also to analyse many games of both the past and this season. Julian made a huge contribution to the success of our team. Credit for our current standing largely goes to him. He perfectly fulfils the talents of his players.
We are really delighted to play in the Champions League, and these emotions help us prepare for the match against Shakhtar
About the team mood: Despite the defeat in our recent Bundesliga game, we prepared well for tomorrow's encounter and will do our best to emerge victorious. We are really delighted to play in the Champions League, and these emotions help us prepare for the match against Shakhtar.
About the European club cup experience: From the previous eight meetings in the Champions League and the Europa League, we got everything that could be useful, and set ourselves the goal: we play one match in the Bundesliga and a completely different one here. For us, those are different competitions. Of course, we will try to advance to the next stage and to showcase our best game.
After talking to the press, the German team conducted a training session on the OSK Metalist pitch. At 19:55 tomorrow, the starting whistle for the UCL group stage matchday 1 game Shakhtar vs Hoffenheim will sound here. Tickets are available at the stadium ticket office and online, at shakhtar.com.
About the European club cup experience: From the previous eight meetings in the Champions League and the Europa League, we got everything that could be useful, and set ourselves the goal: we play one match in the Bundesliga and a completely different one here. For us, those are different competitions. Of course, we will try to advance to the next stage and to showcase our best game.
After talking to the press, the German team conducted a training session on the OSK Metalist pitch. At 19:55 tomorrow, the starting whistle for the UCL group stage matchday 1 game Shakhtar vs Hoffenheim will sound here. Tickets are available at the stadium ticket office and online, at shakhtar.com.
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