Fach’s first training session

VfL Wolfsburg began their preparation for the coming season on Friday, as 22 players had their first training session under the new Wolves coach Holger Fach. The session was held at 4.30 pm at the training complex at the VOLKSWAGEN ARENA. Striker Mike Hanke (Confederation Cup) and midfielder Marian Hristov (knee injury), were the only players missing.

Healthy crowd

Around 750 spectators turned up for the initial session under Fach, who took charge from the Belgian coach Erike Gerets, who has joined Galatasaray Istanbul. Even Patrick Weiser (knee) and Facundo Quiroga (ankle) also took part in the full session. VfL-Manager Thomas Strunz: "All of the players seem to be highly motivated."

Intertoto Cup crucial

"Our first goal is to do well in the Intertoto Cup," revealed Holger Fach after the session was over. The former Gladbach coach is counting on his new signings to do a job for him: "Peter van der Heyden is an experienced player, and with Mike Hanke and Matthias Langkamp we have two of the biggest talents in German football. I think that all three of them can help our cause."

Star-studded line-up in Gifhorn

The squad will train on Saturday morning. That session will be followed in the afternoon by a friendly match in Gifhorn against MTV Gifhorn . The kick off time has been set at 4.00 pm at the Sportzentrum Süd: "Quiroga, Weiser and Jentzsch are all doubtful of making the match," added Fach. Apart from that trio, all of the other Wolves stars are expected to play.

Mark of respect

The team will hold a minute’s silence for the former Wolfsburg and Poland midfielder Krzysztof Nowak, who died recently aged 29. The players will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for the former crowd favourite. All proceeds from the match in Gifhorn will go to the Nowak foundation.