Micho sets the tempo

The RBL head coach is not one to watch the drills from afar. Micho is right at the heart of the action, regularly stepping in among the players to give clear instructions and demand more pace.

“Faster!”, “More pressure, more pressure!”, “Pressure, pressure, guys!” and “Movement!” can be heard ringing around the training ground. Demichelis switches between German and English with his instructions, while he also uses Spanish at times with Rômulo.

His praise is every bit as vocal. “Bravo, bravo!” and “Super!” are regular cries from the coach, with Andrija Maksimovic and El Chadaille Bitshiabu among those catching the coaching staff’s eye during the small-sided games.

Assistant coaches Stefan Buck and Christian Fiel are heavily involved too, each taking charge of different stations and setting the tone for their groups. Demichelis, meanwhile, jogs between all three, following every move and repeatedly stopping for a quick word with his players.

There is a brief embrace with Conrad Harder between drills, a one-to-one chat with Assan Ouédraogo and a handshake and thumbs-up for Maxime Estève. Small moments, but ones that underline how closely Micho wants to work with his players.

The RBL coach also has a strong group to work with, with 23 outfield players involved in the session. World Cup returnees Nicolas Seiwald, Yan Diomande, David Raum and Lutsharel Geertruida returned to Cottaweg on Monday, and will first complete their performance tests before being involved again.