IMAGE GALLERY | How does the DFB train in Eppan?

By Christian Staffler, Rungg

Anyone who sees the German national team's training ground in Rungg for the first time will ask themselves: Why are there so many lines on the field? On a normal football pitch, the penalty areas are marked, as well as the center line with a circle and the touch lines. That's it. Not so at the DFB training ground in Eppan. There, numerous other chalk lines run through the perfectly trimmed lawn. Yellow lines, white lines, dashed lines. But why?

Of half-spaces and individual quality It is well known that the German national team plays very dominant football under Joachim Löw. Playing with the ball is one of the German national team's greatest strengths. Makes sense, after all we have a Toni Kroos, Mesut Özil or Ilkay Gündogan in the team. But it's about more than just world-class players. How the players position themselves on the field is at least as important.

In professional football it is no longer enough for a player to have class. Or to put it in South Tyrolean, simply “brutal guat isch”. Because at some point you will meet an opponent who has the same quality. And then it depends on the tactics: the right positioning, who runs where and when, recognizing the right moment. The training ground in Rungg – criss-crossed by many lines. Good to see: the half spaces between the two red dummies. © C. Staffler

And that's exactly why Joachim Löw needs the many lines on his training ground. They divide the green area into wing spaces, central spaces and half spaces (that is the vertical strip between the wing zone and the center). And that's exactly what's so important in the world champion's system.

It sounds a bit complicated, but basically it's all about one thing: being quicker at recognizing open spaces than your opponent. Then you always have the ball at your feet and can play the kind of football that Löw wants from his team: lots of ball possession, lots of passing stations - in short, offensive football. Paired with the incredible individual quality of the German national players, this leads to an explosive mix. Everything at a glance: The training is filmed from the camera tower. © C. Staffler

Half a dozen coaches on the field In addition, there are not one or two trainers on the DFB training ground, but half a dozen. Löw's two assistant coaches (named Marcus Sorg and Thomas Schneider) are joined by athletics coach and goalie coach Andreas Köpke. In addition, Miroslav Klose is always there. He is a so-called “special coach” and is primarily responsible for giving the strikers around Mario Gomez the right polish. He should know, after all, Klose (he will move to Bayern Munich's U17s after the World Cup) is the most successful World Cup goalscorer of all time with 16 goals. In addition, the entire training is filmed. By our own cameraman on a camera tower. Left-back Marvin Plattenhart (left) and assistant coach Marcus Sorg: One of many coaches on Joachim Löw's staff. © C. Staffler

Of course, Löw himself is always there. But he leaves a lot to his assistant coaches. Whether warming up, technique exercises or forms of play. The national coach is a silent observer and only intervenes every now and then. Being a football coach at this level also means being a team player. However, when it comes to tactics and moves, the 58-year-old takes the reins himself.

Even when “The Team” plays the first of two friendly matches against their own U20 national team on Monday evening, Löw will be at the forefront. Unlike the many journalists who crowd around the Rungg sports zone all day long. They will then be at a media reception and Löw can test in peace and quiet whether Manuel Neuer is fit enough to be number 1 in Russia.

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IMAGE GALLERY | How does the DFB train in Eppan?

Two goals, a center line and the penalty areas. Of course, the German national players also only train on a football pitch. Nevertheless, there are clear differences – even on the lawn itself.

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