First Team

“We need to bust a gut”

VfL head coach Niko Kovac is preparing for a tough task at Union.

VfL-Wolfsburg-Cheftrainer Niko Kovac coacht von dem Seitenrand aus seine Mannschaft.

After claiming their first league win of the season in Frankfurt on Matchday 6, the Wolves are looking to continue that positive trend away to Union Berlin on Sunday 18 September (kick-off 15:30 CET). At Friday’s pre-match press conference, head coach Niko Kovac talked about how they’re preparing for the opposition and also about…

…training this week following the first win: “It was certainly very positive. The boys turned in a tidy performance in Frankfurt and got the three points. Of course that makes it a lot easier to start the week, or rather to organise it. We want to carry that feeling with us so that we can keep being successful.”

…the personnel situation: “Aside from Jonas Wind, who’s working on his comeback, everyone’s fit. Patrick Wimmer is unavailable due to personal reasons.”

…opponents Union Berlin: “The rhythm of playing every three days is not easy. I watched the game against Braga yesterday and I have to say, the intensity with which this team play is unmatched. They go up and down for 90 minutes. Union are there in every challenge – whether it’s with or without the ball. They play in a very intense and physical way. If you’re top after six matchdays, then you’ve certainly done a lot of things right. That shows the qualities they have. We know we’ve got a job on our hands at the Alte Försterei and have to be mentally well prepared for that.”

…the clash in the capital: “It would be mightily important if we could get something in Berlin after the win in Frankfurt. We have to be realistic. We’re 16th in the table and we’re away to the leaders. It’s anything but an easy task, but nevertheless we’re going into the match positively. We want to get a result in any case. To do that we need to really bust a gut, otherwise it’ll be hard.”