What does a typical working day around training or a match look like for you?
Omar: The day usually begins with an early meeting within the coaching staff. There, we align on the players’ condition, training plans and current rehabilitation processes. Often, there is already a brief exchange with the team doctor beforehand. Afterwards, we distribute tasks within the team: some are out on the pitch during training, while others take care of treatments, diagnostics or rehab players. After the session, recovery measures, individual training or further treatments follow. A large part of the work then takes place behind the scenes – such as documentation, planning upcoming training days or medical coordination. On matchdays, additional processes come into play: preparing medical equipment and providing support before, during and after the game. Much of this happens in the background and is barely noticed from the outside.
What is the difference between physiotherapy and fitness training in professional football?
Omar: A clear separation is difficult because both areas are closely intertwined. But that’s also where their strength lies. It’s always about the interaction between prevention, load management and performance development. Especially in the transition from rehabilitation back to team training, the boundaries become blurred. What matters is that all areas work closely together and continuously coordinate with each other.
What role does fitness training play in modern women’s football?
Omar: A very significant one. The game has become much faster, more intense and more physical in recent years. At the same time, the overall level of competition has increased enormously. Factors such as sprint performance, stability, changes of direction or repeated high-intensity actions are now decisive. Of course, footballing ability remains the most important element, but athletic qualities have become a key performance factor. With the increasing intensity, the importance of prevention and recovery also continues to grow.
What are the most common injuries – and how do you work to prevent them?
Omar: Typical injuries include muscle injuries, knee problems and ankle injuries. There are also internal medical issues such as infections. For us, prevention means identifying risk factors early and responding accordingly. This includes strength training, neuromuscular training, load management and individual adjustments. Topics such as nutrition, recovery, psychological support and open communication around the menstrual cycle also play an important role. The key is to intervene early and ensure that players can communicate openly.
How do you support players on their way back from injury?
Omar: The return process is always individual. There are clear phases – from acute treatment to rebuilding, sport-specific loading and integration into team training – but no rehabilitation follows exactly the same path. We work very closely as a team and tailor the content individually. A key step is also position-specific individual training before players fully return to team training. In the end, it requires precise load management, objective criteria and close communication between everyone involved.
How do you manage player load – especially during congested fixture periods?
Omar: In such phases, it’s crucial to keep the load as stable as possible. We work with various parameters such as GPS data, subjective feedback and recovery metrics. We closely monitor who has played a lot of minutes and who needs additional load. The goal is to maintain performance levels while avoiding overload. Players with less game time also need targeted stimuli so that they are ready to perform at any moment. This is a key factor during intensive periods of matches.
How important is trust between you and the players – and how do you build it in everyday work?
Omar: Trust is the foundation of our work. Only when trust is there do we receive honest feedback – and that is extremely important in the medical field. We aim to work transparently, respond to players individually and be reliable, even in difficult phases. The players need to feel that we are working together for their health and performance. For me, it’s always a great sign when former players get in touch or when you meet again and there is immediately a good feeling.
What do fans usually not see about your work behind the scenes?
Omar: A large part of our work happens behind the scenes. This includes the complete planning and management of rehabilitation processes, countless treatments, recovery measures and medical coordination – often in close collaboration with our team doctors. Organisational aspects such as documentation, reports, communication with other doctors or support during external appointments are also part of it. When players are injured, we often accompany them to specialists as well. Ultimately, it’s about creating the best possible conditions so that players can perform on the pitch. We are not in the spotlight – but we make sure everything works in the background.
