Chapter 18: Training Begins
On July 3, the team's training day finally arrived.
First-team players began arriving at the club, one after another, as the team had gone through significant changes during the off-season.
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Consequently, the returning players from the previous season encountered numerous new faces.
Most of the players remained calm in response to this situation, neither showing enthusiasm nor indifference towards the newcomers.
Instead, they seemed reluctant to engage in conversation with them.
The team's veteran captain, 31-year-old Clemens Fritz, took it upon himself to welcome the young players.
He addressed them, saying, "Welcome to Werder Bremen. This is a great club, and I believe you will come to love it!"
While a few young players who had been promoted from the youth team responded with excitement, the majority of the off-season signings seemed indifferent, offering only perfunctory applause.
Observing this situation, Lucas nudged De Bruyne, who seemed lost in thought, and said, "Come on, let's go say hello to the captain."
De Bruyne, who was naturally introverted and inclined to quietly listen to music in such situations, promptly put down his earplugs upon hearing Lucas's words. He obediently followed Lucas and approached Fritz.
"Hi, Captain. I'm Lucas, and this is De Bruyne. We are the two newcomers who just joined the team. Please take care of us, Captain!" Lucas introduced themselves.
Fritz, pleased with their polite and respectful demeanor, particularly when compared to another player on loan from Bayern Munich, had an improved impression of Lucas and De Bruyne in his mind.
"Youngsters, hello! The coach has mentioned both of you and has praised your talent. Perform well in the upcoming season. The team needs young players like you!" Fritz warmly replied.
He proceeded to introduce Lucas and De Bruyne to the team's veteran players, helping them integrate into the squad as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, Fritz expressed his concern for their lives in Germany, understanding that neither of them was a native.
He assured them that if they encountered any difficulties, they could seek his help.
Having resided in Bremen for six or seven years, he had developed local connections.
After some interaction, Lucas began to grasp Fritz's character and conduct.
As William had mentioned, Fritz was an amiable individual who was easy to talk to.
However, he seemed to lack the aura of an assertive leader.
Lucas pondered whether this quality was a positive or negative trait for a captain.
The players chatted and discussed various interesting topics and shared knowledge about the holiday.
After some time, the head coach gathered the coaching staff on the training ground and unveiled the training plan for the day.
Since the offseason has recently ended, most players have just returned from their vacations and are still recovering.
Therefore, the training intensity on the first day is not too high, focusing mainly on recovery exercises.
Observing the players on the field, Thomas Schaff immersed himself in contemplating the team's formation and playing style for the upcoming season.
Bremen is a team that emphasizes offensive play, and their attacking firepower ranks among the best in the Bundesliga.
During the 2005-2006 season, Werder Bremen clinched the top spot in the Bundesliga for both goals scored and goal difference.
They scored a total of 79 goals that season, averaging 2.3 goals per game, with a goal difference of 42 goals.
This achievement was they scored 12 more goals and 7 goals difference higher than the second-placed Bayern Munich.
The strength of Bayern Munich is widely acknowledged, and Werder Bremen's offensive prowess is evident even among the Bundesliga giants.
However, Bremen has always faced a significant challenge: their defensive capabilities are not as strong.
While they score a lot, they also concede a considerable number of goals.
During the peak period from 2004 to 2009, Bremen could compensate for their defensive vulnerabilities with their ability to score more goals.
Nevertheless, since the 2009-10 season, Werder Bremen's overall strength has begun to decline, their offensive firepower has diminished, but the number of goals conceded has not decreased.
Consequently, Bremen's performance has plummeted, and they have gradually found themselves in the relegation zone. This season, they are even considered favorites for relegation.
Head coach Thomas Schaff is confronted with a crucial question: Should Werder Bremen continue playing their previous offensive style in the new season?
While attacking football pleases the fans, defensive counterattacks win games.
Opting for a defensive counterattacking strategy seems safer, but the predicament lies in Schaaf's lack of expertise in defense.
He has dedicated most of his time to studying offensive tactics and formations, making him less proficient in defense, particularly efficient defensive counterattacks.
It is unrealistic to expect him to reach the level of defensive counterattack mastery achieved by coaches like Mourinho.
Hence, he is reluctant to make abrupt and drastic changes to Werder Bremen's previous tactics.
Implementing such a change might not only fail to yield the desired effect but also overwhelm the players, ultimately resulting in the opposite outcome.
Therefore, the safest approach is to adjust the existing tactics, making some alterations to the team's offensive and defensive details without completely overhauling the overall framework.
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Therefore, the safest approach is to adjust the previous tactics and make some changes to the team's offense and defense, while keeping the overall formation intact.
Considering the current characteristics of the team, particularly the large number of young players with good stamina and their hunger to play, Thomas Schaff made slight adjustments to the 4-3-3 formation previously used by Werder Bremen and developed it into a 4-1-4-1 formation.
The 4-3-3 formation is a typical offensive formation, and the evolved 4-1-4-1 not only retains the offensive advantages of the 4-3-3 formation but also introduces some defensive improvements.
The distinctive feature of this formation is the withdrawal of the wingers from their original position and their placement in the midfield.
During defensive phases, they actively participate in midfield defense, forming a robust line of five in the midfield that effectively stifles the opponent's attacks.
During attacking phases, the withdrawn wingers are utilized to make runs from behind and launch attacks from the wings.
At this point, the wingers return to their roles as wingers and create a forward line with the striker, essentially reverting to the 433 formation. With three forwards in the frontcourt, the team has a wider range of offensive options.
However, this formation is not without its drawbacks. The absence of two wingers leads to a significant reduction in the frontcourt, making it difficult for the team to execute high-intensity pressing and interceptions in the opponent's half.
The presence of a lone defensive midfielder also leaves the flanks of the team's midfield vulnerable, making it easier for opponents to exploit those areas.
Additionally, since the formation now consists of four lines (4141), it is crucial to maintain proper spacing between each line. Failure to control the distance adequately may result in defensive gaps.
In this formation, the three most critical positions are the central defensive midfielder and the two full-backs.
The defensive midfielder serves as a pivotal figure in the midfield, acting as the gatekeeper of the team's defense. If the opponent manages to bypass the defensive midfielder, the team's defense will be directly exposed to threats.
While the two full-backs have defensive responsibilities, they also play a crucial role in creating opportunities and contributing to the team's offense.
Compared to a traditional target man center forward who primarily acts as the focal point in the frontcourt, the full-backs have greater offensive duties on both sides.
If they fail to create opportunities, the team can easily find themselves in a predicament where they are constantly under pressure.
Fortunately, this formation is not the only option in Schaff's mind.
If the 4141 tactic proves ineffective, he can revert to playing either 433 or 442, offering the team alternative strategies to pursue.
(End of the chapter)
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