Alexander Blessin on…

…the injury situation: “The international players are looking good and came back unscathed apart from Eric Smith. I’m gutted for him, not least because he would have played in the decisive match against Poland. It’s a big blow for him and for us, too, but it doesn’t look as though he’ll be out for too long. We’re hopeful he’ll be available to face Bayern, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens over the next few days. Some of the others came back with victories under their belts. Nikola Vasilj was greeted with thunderous applause when he came in. It’s a dream come true for him. It’ll give him a lift and he’s taking the positive energy with him. Connor Metcalfe got lots of playing time, but Arkadiusz Pyrka wasn’t in the squad for the second game unfortunately. Joel Chima Fujita had some minor issues and didn’t play in the second game, but he trained normally today. Tomoya Andō withdrew from the Japan squad early but I think he’ll be available for the Bayern game. Lars Ritzka had only minor surgery and is available again, but the game comes around too early for Manolis Saliakas. He increased the pace today and things are looking good. We can expect him to be back for the Bayern game.”

…Jackson Irvine, who didn’t hook up with Australia for workload reasons: “That was so important. The conversation with the Australia coach went very well. Jacko is really important for him and needs to focus on his foot. The follow-up scan looked good, which is obviously reassuring. The pain is gradually subsiding and it’s done him a world of good. I hope he’ll show the usual energy on Sunday because we all know how important he is.”

…opponents Union Berlin and his expectations going into the game: “They focus very much on their set pieces and throw-ins and will keep trying to create these situations. We know all about that from the first game when a lapse in concentration from a throw-in was severely punished. There’ll be lots of situations where it’ll come down to the second balls and we have to be alert to that. It could be very frustrating with lots of transition, long balls and toing and froing. We’ll have to show a degree of tolerance and accept it but also try to find ways to create chances.”

…the threat of suspension: “I need to take a deep breath every now and then and maybe reach for my water bottle a bit more often. You have to collect yourself and think very carefully about what you say. Sometimes you let your emotions get the better of you. The seven remaining matches are a hurdle I have to negotiate but I’ll manage it. They’re interesting and important games where you have to be fully committed emotionally, but you have to calm down again at the right moment. That’s the challenge I’ve set myself.”

…his approach for the seven-game run-in: “We’ve got to grit our teeth and see it through. There are seven finals left and we can’t afford many more slip-ups. We still have games against our nearest rivals, though, so it’s in our own hands. There can be no letting up. We have to think back to the decent spell we had, but we know nothing will be handed to us on a plate. We’ve always coped well when we’ve had injuries. The lads have accepted it and are sticking together even more. That’s an important point when you look at the seven games we have left. Win or lose, the lads are ready to go through fire and water. Our performances have reflected that, but we need to match them with results now. If we do that, I’m confident we’ll achieve our objective.”

 

Photos:: FC St. Pauli