TSG move into their training camp – Wiese's first shift for 1899

The market town of Feldkirchen in Upper Austria; very quaint and situated not all that far from the Danube river. The team hotel, together with training facilities, is just a kilometre outside of this community of 5000 citizens. Amidst the historical castle grounds the Bundesliga players will find themselves in perfect conditions.

Three players left behind

During the first warm up in Feldkirchen, manager Markus Babbel could just about draw on unlimited resources. Only Matthieu Delpierre, Stephan Schröck, Boris Vukcevic and Sebastian Rudy had to pass an initial fitness test away from the excellent grass pitch, before they could join up with team training on Tuesday. Ryan Babel, Sandro Wieser und Matthias Jaissle are staying in Zuzenhausen. While Wieser and Jaissle couldn't make the trip due to injury, it is for footballing reasons that the coach felt moved to withdraw the Dutchman from the squad. “I've observed him for quite a while now. He just doesn't deliver. He doesn't help to further the team so therefore he's staying at home,” Babbel said, explaining the justification of his decision. Babbel had a conversation with the Dutch player on Saturday following his demotion to train with the under-23s. “It's not fun for me either. It was more of a monologue than a conversation. Naturally he's somewhat frustrated, but I've told him that he has to ask himself why it's not worked out for him at Hoffenheim so far,” Babbel went on to say. If there were to be an offer, the manager is ready to talk: “We respect the contract, but we're making no secret of the fact that we want to sell him, should an appropriate offer come along.” Tim Wiese is at the training camp for the first time and Babbel promises a great deal more from the national team's goalkeeper. “We need some positively crazy guys such as Tim. He has to the gene of wanting to win by all means necessary. The youngsters can learn a lot by watching him.”

Tuesday offers the first real test

Wiese can demonstrate his ability as early as day two of the training camp in what is sure to be a real test for the TSG first team. The Austrian third division team LASK Linz awaits in Ottensheim on Tuesday at 19.00, before another pre-season friendly in Bad Wimsbach on the penultimate day (Saturday, 18.00) is on the agenda against English Premier League team Wigan Athletic.