GGFN Press Conference Coverage | Kasper Hjulmand continues to dust off German and wrap head around desired Bayer Leverkusen tactics | OneFootball

Just as was the case last week, Get German Football News was in attendance at new Bayer Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand’s pre-match press conference on Friday this week. A little over ten years since his last Bundesliga stint coaching Mainz, the 55-year-old shakes the rust off his German with each passing week

Hjulmand – without (a noticeable at least) translation earpiece – continues to field all questions in German. The former Denmark national team coach also always delivers his opening statement in the tongue of his country of employment. After initially answering all questions in English, however, Hjulmand gives more answers in German every time.

At Friday’s press conference, Hjulmand responded to three questions fully in German. During one answer in English, Hjulmand couldn’t help but revert to German when answering one question about tactics. For the new Leverkusen gaffer, “Umschaltspiel” (“transition play/counter“) and “Flügelspieler” (“wingers“) weren’t worth reaching for an English equivalent.

It was once again time to check in with Hjulmand’s mastery of German and the general state of the “Hjulmand Leverkusen Project” after Saturday’s gritty 1-2 away win at FC St. Pauli. There was more still more German from the B04 trainer. On only one occasion did Hjulmand specifically answer a question fully in English, and it happened to be a direct translation of his opening statement in German.

Hjulmand’s tactics related German phrases at the Saturday post-match press conference included “Tiefläufe” (“deep runs“) and “diagonale Pässe auf die Zehnerposition” “(“diagonal passes to the [double] ten set-up [behind striker Patrik Schick]“).

The last one clearly illustrates the precise area in which he wants his team to improve the most. Hjulmand specifically noted that he wanted more balls sent in the direction of Schick’s two buttressing support attackers.

“We need time to build our brand of football,” Hjulmand said in both English and German at different times during the Saturday press conference. “But we don’t have time to wait to win football matches. We must find the solutions one way or another. We have to fight like crazy to get points.“

GGFN | Peter Weis