The U23 training camp in Tyrol is in full swing. While the players are working up a sweat on the pitch, Ingo Preuß is watching the sessions from the sideline. In an interview during a training session, the sporting director explained his assessment of the training camp so far, whether there may yet be personnel changes and what his hopes are for the new season.

We’ve seen you on the periphery of the training sessions looking relaxed and content these last few days. Is that impression misleading?
“No, that impression is not misleading. I’m relaxed because we’re playing well. Right now for example, as we rehearse set-pieces. It’s fun to watch. That’s why I’m actually feeling quite content. The problem is the two injuries from Friday, in the friendly in Mainz (editor’s note: Dennis Lütke-Frie and Moses Otuali). They cloud the overall picture. And you do worry a bit in that context because Moses Otuali had such bold ambitions. And above all Dennis Lütke-Frie,  who was out for almost all of last year and now has a similar injury again. That’s tough to take. But otherwise the conditions here are wonderful. And what we’ve been doing here so far has been too.” 

You know this place. You know the pitch here. Do BVB have the usual good conditions?
“The pitch is extraordinarily good this year. Perhaps that’s down to the fact that SV Brixen im Thale got promoted last year and they are therefore going to even greater lengths.”

There are 12 new faces in the BVB squad. To what extent is the squad planning now complete? 
“There may yet be one vacancy to fill. But that will be sorted in coordination with the first team. Otherwise, we’re already complete.”

This year, you’re trusting four boys from the U19s to make the step up to the 3. Liga. How big is this step in your view? 
“It is now common knowledge that it is difficult for the U19 players who move up to senior level. Unless they are extraordinary talented. The others have to grit their teeth, get stuck in and get used to the greater physicality. And that takes a little time.”

Let’s jump to the end of the season. What would need to happen for you say retrospectively that it was a good 2023/24 season? 
“If we can have a quiet season like we did two years ago, without this daily relegation stress. That was gruesome! So I really don’t want to experience that again. But it was actually the same in the first few years when we were in the 3. Liga: you struggled from week to week and picked up a point here and a point there. Ultimately, I want us to have a quiet season and pick up points right from the start. The team should be able to manage that.”