Svensson: Austria training camp about increasing 'intensity'
Head coach Bo Svensson says the eight-day training camp in Austria is about increasing the "intensity" in training as his F.C. Copenhagen squad prepares for a return to Superliga action.
The Lions players returned to training at the end of June and, after a training match against Mjällby AIF, are now in Austria preparing for the season ahead.
The squad will face Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday in a friendly before returning home to Denmark for further training games ahead of the new campaign.
Reflecting on pre-season so far, Svensson says: "The first week at home we laid a lot of groundwork, and down here we are going into something more tactical and increasing the intensity.
"For the first three days, we're working hard on the training pitch. Then there's a day's break, and then another three days, concluding with the match against Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.
"We have to set a high standard and constantly try to improve, and when you have performed six good training sessions, it is expected that the seventh one will also be strong.
“What we focus on each day is different, but in general it is our entire game that needs to be more intense, both with and without the ball and in the transition phases. Of course, it is also the set pieces with Kristoffer Wichmann, where we have plenty of time down here to give it a lot of attention.
“When I look back on the 10 games in the spring, where I was in charge, there was some things we did really well, and some things we did okay, but would like to do at a higher level. Our play with the ball was good, especially when the opponent was blocking, and I think we had a little trouble getting out when we were under high pressure – so we are working on that phase a little, and there is also something about our high pressure and our defensive play.
“There needs to be a common understanding of what we want to see when this or that occurs on the pitch. And then there is also something in all phases about the reactions to losing the ball, or when we win the ball, which needs to be more dynamic.
"In addition to what can be trained on the pitch, there is of course also everything off the pitch, where the players get to know each other a little better and strengthen relationships.
"We still need those who are the World Cup or on holiday, we have some players who are injured but who are important to the team during the season, and we have many young players who need to show their talent – plus we of course also want to strengthen the squad.
"The 30 players who are down here are probably not exactly the same as those who will be here on 1 September but that doesn't mean that everyone doesn't play an important role in the work that needs to be done over the next eight or nine days."
FCK's first competitive match of the season is away to FC Polissya in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round on 23 July, before our first Superliga match of the campaign at home to Lyngby BK on 27 July.
Tickets for the home game – plus home matches until early September – are currently on sale.