During the weekly press conference manager Michael Skibbe spoke about the status of the team and more.
Mr Skibbe, will Chris be able to play the full 90 minutes?
He trained well with the team twice now, and he feels alright. With him rejoining the team we have three very good alternatives in the center of defense. I am not sure yet, whether he’ll be able to make the starting line-up.
Meier and Koehler both had some stomach problems, how are they?
They both feel well and will be in the team on Friday.
Caio has tooth ache and Fenin some pain caused by a toe nail. What’s the latest?
They were only able to cycle yesterday, but hopefully we can use them on Friday as they mean more depth and alternatives offensively.
Did Theofanis Gekas get a boost from his two goals away to Moenchengladbach?
He did not get into the game in Hannover, so I left him on the bench v Hamburg. He then played better against Gladbach. Goals are a boost to any forward, that’s their currency.
How long will it take for Amanatidis?
He’ll start running next week. It looks better for him, the knee infection is nearly gone. After all I do not bank on him next week. We will see.
Have you checked out the pitch yet?
Only from a distance. But I believe we’ll have good pitch conditions on Friday without any faults.
Gladbach slipped up after their high scoring 6-3 win away to Leverkusen. Is there a danger for your team also?
The players know throughout: we need to grade up the win from last Saturday by winning three points again at home. There is no reason whatsoever for anyone to be boastful, looking at how we started the season.
Freiburg won two in a row. Was that a surprise?
Not really. Their system involves a high volume of running, and they have various players bringing a lot of pace into the game. They’re dangerous down their left side, also Cissé up front is a threat. Freiburg have a balanced and well-cast squad.
