Omlin: “We need to show a side of ourselves that is enjoyable for the fans”

Goalkeeper Jonas Omlin answered journalist’s questions at the Flatex-Presseclub at the Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt on Tuesday morning. Read on for all the quotes from today’s press conference.

Jonas Omlin on…

…his fitness: I am still not at 100%, but all in all I’m on the right path. I used the summer break on my recovery. I will be able to play in the friendly against Ingolstadt tomorrow, which is very good already. Nevertheless, I’ll take the necessary time until the start of the season and not allow myself to rush it.

…his expectations for the new season: From a personal perspective, I would like to play a lot of games and gather more experience. I hope that as a team we can show more consistency on the pitch. That was missing last season and we want to do that better. We also need to show a side of ourselves that is enjoyable for the fans. The team has to show that they are fighting, that they are working hard on the pitch and that there is that fire in them.

…his thoughts on the current situation: We are still finding things out at the moment, but there is still enough time until the start of the season. The team is alive, you can see that on the training pitch every day, there is a sense of excitement and the team spirit in the team is also good. You can see that everyone wants it. I hope that we can carry that into the season.

…his role in the team: I would like to help the team with my performances on the pitch and to give off a sense of calm in difficult situations. Ultimately, for me it’s about stopping balls. I would also like to be a good sounding block for the young players and support them as much as possible. The current situation is a new opportunity for the whole team. I think a lot of players will grow into leading roles and step out of the shadows of their predecessors.

…how a leading player should behave: You can’t shy away from responsibility and taking on tasks, have to say the things you have to say and sacrifice everything for the team to be successful. When you have the feeling that you are able to help someone then you should also do that. The more people that act like this in the team the better it will be for our progress together.

…his first half a year in the Bundesliga: From a sporting perspective, it was ok. I would have liked to have got on the pitch more and to have stayed injury-free. That’s what’s been bothering me and it what I’m working on right now. I have tried to change my sleep schedule and my nutrition. You try to do what you can. I am hoping that it comes off.

…new structures within the team: I like that we now have more competition for places in certain positions. That spurs players on to put in better performances in training. Everyone have to perform, no one can just sit back, so we will be able to develop a good philosophy within the team. If we also manage to create a great team spirit as a team, which I can already feel now, that can turn into a good thing. We have to achieve results together through our performances as a team.

…head coach Gerardo Seoane: I know him from our time together at FC Luzern and I enjoyed working together with him back then. He demands a lot; he demands detail and is very clear in how he speaks. I like that. He has a lot of drive and will pull the team along with him extremely well. I haven’t seen anyone here hiding yet. A coach like this is definitely good for the players.

…the numerous fans in attendance for the first training session at BORUSSIA-PARK, the support of the fans at the training camp in Tegernsee and the season tickets sold: The fans are one of Borussia’s great qualities. It is unbelievable and motivates every single player. It is nice to see that the support is there. Our task as players it to pay them back with our performances on the pitch. If we play as a team, achieve results together and develop something in the team that flows over to the fans then lots of good things can happen.

…the friendly against his former side HSC Montepellier at Borussia‘s season opening: I am really looking forward to this game. Because of the way I left for Mönchengladbach, I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye properly. I hope that I can make up for that here and am looking forward to seeing the staff, my former teammates and the club president.