Deeply tanned, high spirited and very relaxed - that is how we were greeted by Clemens Fritz, one of the last Werder players to join in the pre-season preparations, just five days ago.
Deeply tanned, high spirited and very relaxed - that is how we were greeted by Clemens Fritz, one of the last Werder players to join in the pre-season preparations, just five days ago.
Deeply tanned, high spirited and very relaxed - that is how we were greeted by Clemens Fritz, one of the last Werder players to join in the pre-season preparations, just five days ago. “I’m feeling very, very rested,” claimed Fritz, who headed off for a break on the island of Formentera directly after the EURO party in Berlin and then spent the final days of his holiday at home in Erfurt. There he blocked out the rest of the world and set his focus on one target: “Just to relax and not think at all about football.”
On Monday, the German international returned and began with a fitness test, as did Torsten Frings and Per Mertesacker. The training deficit, compared to their team mates who began at the start of July, is noticeable: “It’s a normal thing that we need to put in some more work now.” Exactly how much more was clear to see by taking a brief glance at Thursday’s training schedule.
“Running in the morning when the others are tucked up in bed. I do really curse it but there is no way around that. There is then another fitness session after lunch whilst most of the others will be playing a friendly game.” Just like Torsten Frings, Fritz is one of a group of six players who will not be involved against Aris Saloniki but instead spend the afternoon going through a specialised programme with fitness coach Benjamin Kugel. The EURO participants are not to be envied at the moment.
