SVE ready for second half of the season after successful training camp

SV Elversberg have impressed at their training camp and are heading into the second half of the season with their heads held high. Head coach Horst Steffen is satisfied, sports director Nils-Ole Book has scotched rumours of striker transfers, and a lineup seems to have been found for the opening match. 

SV Elversberg have finished their winter training camp in Marbella, Spain on a high. They remained undefeated through all three test matches. The start was also very promising: in front of 200 spectators in the Football Center in Marbella, the second-division Saarland team won their first test match against Dutch first-division team FC Groningen 2:1. SVE‘s coach Horst Steffen sounded satisfied: ‘That was a decent performance after only two training sessions. It was about making sure everyone got playing time, and the fact that we still won is even better.’

Steffen deployed a mixture of regulars and substitutes to ensure that all involved had valuable minutes on the pitch. One particularly pleasing element was the return of Semih Sahin, who was substituted on in the second half after four months out with a calf injury. The match between the German second-division team and Dutch first-division team was clearly dominated by Elversberg right from the outset. Despite this dominance, SVEwere not able to create any real scoring opportunities in the first 30 minutes.

The match began ramping up after half an hour. Tom Zimmerschied reached the opposing team’s penalty box, but his ten-metre shot was blocked. Shortly before half time, Paul Stock sent a shrewd pass to Manuel Feil, who let it flow to Fisnik Asllani. The striker coolly took advantage of this opportunity to put the scoreline at 1:0. Nicolas Kristof, who was tending the SVE goal in the first half, was barely challenged.

In the second half, Tim Boss took up position between the goalposts, but remained virtually unused thanks to Elversberg’s solid defence. Maurice Neubauer increased the score to 2:0 in the 72nd minute, when he precisely fired the ball into the far corner from eight metres away. Despite other good opportunities, including for Muhammed Damar and Filimon Gerezgiher, this scoreline remained unchanged. Groningen only managed to score the final goal and put things at 2:1 in the final stages.

Other test matches and end of training camp

SVE played two other test matches as part of their training camp. The managed a goalless draw against Swiss first-division team Grasshopper Club Zürich, then utterly outclassed Gibraltarian first-division team Mons Calpe SC with a 8:0 win. ‘Overall, these were two good test matches where all players had time on the pitch. On the whole, I am satisfied’, coach Horst Steffen explained. The match against the Grasshoppers served as an acid test, trying out the starting eleven for the upcoming league game against 1. FC Magdeburg.

Various configurations, especially for the defenders, were tested out in preparation for the remainder of the season. Regular central defender Lukas Pinckert’s ban forced Steffen to find an alternative. Florian Le Joncour and Maximilian Rohr formed the central defence duo, whilst Maurice Neubauer and Elias Baum occupied the wings. As usual, the midfield consisted of Carlo Sickinger and Frederik Schmahl.

Returnees and missing players in the spotlight

According to Steffen, Semih Sahin – who has returned to training after his injury – does not yet have sufficient match practice. Sahin made up the central midfield defence alongside captain Robin Fellhauer at the start of the season. Fellhauer was not able to attend the training camp due to an ankle operation and is continuing rehabilitation. Frederik Jäkel was also missing, as he is still struggling with knee issues after a cruciate ligament operation.

On the offensive side of things, Steffen primarily used tried-and-tested players. Fisnik Asllani is leading the attacking ranks, supported by Muhammed Damar. Lukas Petkov has been deployed on the right, whilst Filimon Gerezgiher takes up the offensive position on the left. Gerezgiher impressed during the training camp with multiple goals and assists, resulting in him being chosen over Tom Zimmerschied against Zurich. ‘I would say that we are all feeling good after this week. The coach will decide who heads onto the pitch for the first match’, Gerezgiher confidently said. Zimmerschied and Luca Schnellbacher had to make do with the bench for the time being.

Set pieces and tactical nuances

The team took full advantage of the training camp to address their weaknesses from the first half of the season. Extensive training was devoted in particular to set pieces, as despite more than 100 corners so far this season, SVE have not been able to convert a single one into a goal. With Le Joncour, Rohr and Asllani, who are all more than 1.9 metres tall, the team now also has additional options for high balls.

IIn the test match against the Grasshoppers, the team picked up the pace right from the outset and clearly dominated. Nevertheless, improvements could still be made to their ability to exploit opportunities and the effectiveness of their set pieces. Even with a more defensive approach in the second half, the Saarland team still did not allow any significant goalscoring opportunities.

In the subsequent match against Mons Calpe SC, Steffen rotated the players to give them all time on the pitch. The game was one-sided and Elversberg consistently exploited their dominance. The goals in this 8:0 win were scored by Younes Ebnoutalib (3rd and 29th minutes), Tom Zimmerschied (16th and 20th minutes), Manuel Feil (22nd and 40th minutes), Mohammad Mahmoud (35th minute) and Luca Schnellbacher (44th minute).

Asllani and Schnellbacher transfer rumours

As the team has been preparing for the second half of the season, rumours of changes caused some unrest. These centred around Fisnik Asllani, who is third on the list of top 2. Bundesliga goal scorers with ten goals. The press speculated that 1. FC Köln might bring him in as a replacement for Tim Lemperle, who will be transferring to TSG Hoffenheim in the summer. However, sports director Nils-Ole Book emphatically denied these rumours: ‘We will not be giving Fisnik up during this winter break.’

Luca Schnellbacher was also the target of speculation, as third-division team 1. FC Saarbrücken had reputedly shown an interest. However, Book clearly stated: ‘We will also not be giving Luca Schnellbacher up. Luca will remain playing with us for a long time. He is hugely important to us.’

Preparations for the second half of the season

As the training camp comes to an end and staffing questions have been clarified, SV Elversberg are now turning their attentions to their upcoming league game against 1. FC Magdeburg. The team seem fully prepared and coach Steffen has various options for successfully tackling the challenges thrown up by the second half of the season. It is time for league play to get going again.