There’s a special
know it’s an important attribute for the coach that his goalkeeper is able to do that (play out with his feet).
“I’m happy that I have succeeded in that – it’s a big part of my game. “I just feel comfortable here. “I’m very happy to be here – it’s a good team to be in and I think the tactic works.”
Wagner has a number of key decisions to make ahead of this afternoon’s final pre-season friendly against Italian side Torino.
For as much as the Stuttgart fightback on Tuesday was commendable, underlining the ‘Terrier Spirit’ was very much still alive, the overall 90-minute performance was ‘Jekyll and Hyde.’
Fielding two separate sides in each half would perhaps be a strong explanation for the stark contrast, but in truth the real issue was how one set of players stepped-up while another seemed to wilt away.
Certainly the scorching first-half temperature of 33° was undoubtedly a factor in why arguably Wagner’s first-choice team (minus the injured Christopher Schindler and Jonathan Hogg) failed to deliver.
Yet it was the same conditions for VfB Stuttgart, with the 2.Bundesliga champions controlling the game with consummate ease in the opening 45 minutes and racing into a 2-0 lead.
With temperatures cooling, as well as having nothing to lose, the second-half Town side looked more composed.
And so to the dilemma facing Wagner and, perhaps, the reason he was vague in his answer when asked at the Stuttgart final whistle if he would play one side or two in Jenbach (3pm BST today).
How much does he put the firsthalf performance down to the intense heat the players had to endure?
Does he stick to what, on paper, appears his strongest starting lineup?