Shot-Stoppers Training in the Rain:
Union's Goalkeepers in Focus
Training camp diary, day 3: Union's goalkeepers in focus
On the third day in Bramberg am Wildkogel, Austria, 1. FC Union Berlin’s Bundesliga squad once again focused their attentions on laying the foundations for their upcoming competitive matches. And once again, as with yesterday, the players, coaching team and staff had to contend with heavy rain in both sessions today.
Action and reaction
The focus of today's coverage is goalkeeping coach Michael Gspurning, whose charges, alongside those at Bayern München, conceded the fewest goals in the entire league in the 2022/23 season.
"I am satisfied with today, as well as with how it has gone so far," was the Austrian's brief summary after the morning session. During the 90 minutes of rain, the goalkeepers were given various exercises focussing on opening up the game and one-on-ones. Especially in the latter, the trio of Frederik Rönnow, Jakob Busk and Yannic Stein had to prove speed, good anticipation skills and robustness in direct duels.
A bit of afternoon sun
After lunch together, Gspurning entered the pitch with the same amount of stoppers as before, but in a different line-up. Newcomer Alex Schwolow had barely been with the team for three hours before the first test was waiting for him at 16.30, while Stein stayed in the hotel in the afternoon for individual load management. This time, the programme for the old and new goalkeepers included balance exercises, and exercises on how to deal with long balls and crosses.
Quote of the day: "Sometimes I don't even know what I'm doing here," said goalkeeper coach
Gspurning with a wink when asked what his exercises are called.
The outlook
Tomorrow, Thursday, 27.07.20023, the team has only one training session on the schedule (10.30). As usual, there will be a short highlights package available on AFTV in the evening for all those who cannot be there.
