🧐 Is there still hope? Exclusive interview with Find the Pro Icons | OneFootball

"I didn't even know who to call out to on the pitch," says Lorenz Knöferl, player for Find the Pro Icons, reflecting on the first matchday of the season. The players barely knew each other, many names were still unfamiliar—communication? Hardly possible.

Find the Pro wasn't even originally planned as a participant in the Icon League. Only three days before the season started, the team stepped in at short notice for Istanbul United, who withdrew their participation. A real emergency solution, and that was evident on the pitch.

Six matchdays, six defeats, zero points: FTP sits firmly at the bottom of the table. But within the team, there is no resignation, but rather a spirit of rebuilding. In an exclusive interview, Knöferl gives us insights into the difficult early phase, but also into what has changed since then: first transfers, tactical adjustments, and above all, the attempt to turn individual players into a real team.

📸 Max Galys 

The 7-1 defeat on the first matchday sounds harsh. But given the circumstances and compared to other results in the Icon League, it was still within reason. Already on the second matchday, FTP lost by only two goals, and on the third, they were just one goal away from earning a point.

Then, however, the toughest possible schedule awaited: the defending champions and regular-season champions on matchdays four and five—routine tasks look different. But even in these matches, it became clear: something is happening.

Tactically, there was a change: FTP switched from a 3-1 defensive formation to a 2-2 system—a common approach in the Icon League. And it had an effect, as Knöferl confirms: "The defense became more stable—even though at first not everyone shifted positions with discipline, it became harder to score goals against us."

There were also constant personnel changes. "You probably used 50 players in the first five matchdays," explains Knöferl—one of only three players (alongside Oktay Kazan and Alexander Vucenovic) who have been there since day one. A lot was tried out, even more was discarded.

One problem: lack of Icon League experience. "For me, everything in the Icon League is about experience. The best player is the one who has played in the Icon League the longest," Knöferl notes. And that experience was missing in large parts of the squad. 

The 10-1 defeat against the Bavarian Clique on the sixth matchday "doesn't exactly speak for us," Knöferl admits. But some days, it's just not meant to be. 

Bigger concerns are in the offense: hardly any creativity, few ideas, often just random products. But the team is working on that too—including video training sessions with coach Emre.

FTP has now strengthened itself twice over with Romin Ahmadi and Bastian Grahovac. Both players already know the Icon League and are expected to help secure the first wins. 

This season is, however, most likely over, but Knöferl remains ambitious: "As long as there's still a mathematical chance, I won't give up!"

But realistically, Find the Pro will only be a contender again next season. When the team has grown together, gained stability, and uses this chaotic season for what it is: a tough, but instructive year.

Your opinion counts: Which team should we take a closer look at next? Write it in the comments!

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.