This week of training has certainly been an intensive one, with only four days between the DFB Cup match last Monday at F.C. Hansa Rostock and the visit of FC St. Pauli on Saturday for the squad to work on things. "We’re the favourites," Walter said. "St. Pauli will look to keep it tight and then turn defence into attack when they win possession. So for us, that means that we need to keep the tempo high and create chances."
Which players that will involve on Saturday is not yet clear. Holger Badstuber picked up a sprain in the first half of the cup tie and did not return after the break. Since then, he has not been able to train with the team, but his absence has been compensated for by the return of Gregor Kobel and Maxime Awoudja to full training on Thursday.
Whether Kobel or Fabian Bredlow plays in goal on Saturday has not yet been decided by Walter. "I can’t yet say for sure whether Gregor will be back in," the coach said, "but Fabi stepped in for him really well in Rostock and did a great job, particularly in the second half."
Gold medal-winner Gonzalez back with VfB on Thursday
There are still question marks over Emiliano Insua, who is still trying to get back up to full training after tearing a calf muscle, and also Nicolas Gonzalez. The 21-year-old striker spent a number of (highly successful) weeks at the Pan-American Games in Peru and only returned to the club on Thursday.
"Now that he’s back, we’ll have to talk to him and see what’s best for him and for his recovery," Walter explained. "He might be in the squad or maybe not until next week." What is certain is that Orel Mangala will be out after suffering an interior cruciate ligament injury in Rostock. Regardless of who features on the team sheet on Saturday, Walter described himself as "very happy with the way the squad has been put together. We should be able to get some momentum going."