On Wednesday morning, another international put on his running shoes at the VfL club centre: Fabian Rieder, together with Ameen Al-Dakhil, completed a few laps of the Robert-Schlienz-Stadion. In an interview with VfB TV, the Swiss international reflected on the two recent UEFA Nations League matches. “It’s always an honour for me to play for Switzerland, to represent my country on the pitch and to sing the anthem,” he said.
Back to the Bundesliga
VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß and his team are now setting the appropriate training programmes to prepare the squad for the upcoming home match against Bochum. “I'm fit, I feel good, and the stamina is there,” confirmed Rieder. “Now we have to do everything we can to be completely ready for Saturday. That's the most important thing.”
Saturday’s meeting marks the start of an intensive period for Rieder and Co before the winter break, with two UEFA Champions League fixtures and a DFB Cup round-of-16 tie coming up in between league games over the next three weeks. “We want to pick up as many points as possible from this block,” said the midfielder. “We have the quality to do that and we’re mentally ready. I’m sure we’re up to the task.”
Looking ahead to the next opponents, the 22-year-old added: “Every game in the Bundesliga is difficult. Our objective against Bochum on Saturday is to show from the first second that there’s nothing for them here – with the fans behind us, and through our tackling and playing style. We want to carry the fans along with us in order to come off the pitch as winners at the end.”