Bundesliga: Union manager praises preparation: “Like having a new wife”

With the new coach Mauro Lustrinelli, the Köpenickers do not want to be in danger of relegation. Instead of a three-man or five-man chain, the Swiss, who led the blatant outsiders FC Thun to the surprising championship in Switzerland last season, relies on a four-man chain.

New path with no alternative

The trainer, who is known as a perfectionist, also wants to implant a certain winning gene. “We have consciously decided on a new path. We have to play a different style of football in order to remain competitive,” said Heldt, who also points out: “One is a train of thought, the other is a process that takes longer and is subject to wave conditions.”

Despite the six test games in a row without a win, the former professional is not worried 19 days before the start of the competitive game in the DFB Cup against second division team Eintracht Braunschweig. “First of all, we have to get rid of the fact that results in preparation are not elementary,” said Heldt. For him it’s not about “shooting opponents out of the stadium, but rather getting things done”.

According to the official, Lustrinelli has already brought about a certain turnaround despite the lack of results. “I see him as a person who approaches every day with huge energy. That’s good for us,” said the 56-year-old. For example, he “hasn’t seen such sharp passing in training for a long time.”

Heldt draws a curious comparison

It must be clear that the squad is not yet complete with only three new additions so far. In the first few weeks of preparation, the current team should be given the chance to please the coaching team. “It’s like having a new woman. You get to know each other and see how you act and react to each other. Now we’re entering the hot phase in which everyone tries to be best friends.”

In the past few weeks we have looked at where there is a need for action so that transfer activities will pick up speed in the coming period. Heldt qualified: “We have good and many options, but we don’t control the transfer market. It’s important to stay calm.”