On the second training day of the new year, VfL Osnabrück football professionals undertook two intensive sessions, guided by their dedicated coaches Marco Antwerpen and Frithjof Hansen. Meanwhile, the kickoff of the friendly match in Lotte has been rescheduled, and the opponent for another test during the training camp has also been confirmed.
The friendly match between Sportfreunde de Lotte and VfL Osnabrück, scheduled for Sunday, January 5 (streamed live on noz.de), will now start two hours later than originally planned: kick-off is now set for 2 p.m. instead from 12:00 p.m. as previously planned. The reason for this change is the winter weather: In the coming nights, frost on the ground is expected, which is why the Sportfreunde expect better pitch quality later in the day when temperatures rise. Tickets already purchased will remain valid, with entry to the stadium starting at 1:00 p.m. and only the seated stands will be open.
Read more:
Pedro Aquino on Botafogo’s radar for the 2025 season
Additionally, the second opponent for preparations for the second half of the 3rd Liga season has been confirmed for the Lilac and Whites: they will face Croatian First Division club HNK Hajduk Split, with this match serving as a final rehearsal before the season opener against SV Sandhausen on January 18 (2:00 p.m.) in the 3rd Liga. As in Lotte, the match will be played in two 45-minute halves, with kick-off also scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9. NOZ Medien will also broadcast this match live on video with commentary.
The Osnabrück team will travel to the training camp near Alicante the day after the match in Lotte, from January 6 to 12, where they will be stationed in Spain. Currently, Split is second in the Croatian championship and is coached by Gennaro Gattuso, world champion with Italy in 2006 in Germany. The squad of this Adriatic port city is home to world-class player Ivan Rakitic (36), who won the Champions League with FC Barcelona.
Read more:
Simeone joins Barcelona’s Dani Olmo controversy: LaLiga in full swing
Daytime temperatures in Alicante are expected to vary between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius, while the reality for the Lilacs and Whites was quite different: on Friday, the professionals trained twice in freezing temperatures, with some even battling heavy snowfall during afternoon sessions. New signings Jannik Müller and Niklas Kölle both took part, but Bryan Henning is yet to join training due to a lingering cold and aims to return on Saturday. “At VfL Osnabrück we need players who are fully committed to this challenge of fighting relegation. There is no doubt that Bryan does that, and he is also a good footballer,” commented coach Marco Antwerpen on the recruitment of the 29-year-old.
Read more:
Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor: Atlético and Barça coaches comment on their situation
What stood out was the clarity with which Antwerpen and his assistant coach Frithjof Hansen led the training sessions, continually pushing the professionals. “We all have to internalize that football is the most fun when we succeed – and the chance of success is greatest when all the players on the pitch invest everything they have,” said Antwerpen, who sees his team on the right track. path but also recognizes potential for improvement in some of his players.
