“The fact is that we have only picked up one point in five games. The first aim of the season has now got to be to win a game and play differently”, said David Wagner before his U23’s team’s home match in the Regionalliga West on Saturday at 14:00 in the Stadion Rote Erde against Alemannia Aachen.

The 5-1 defeat on Tuesday in Ahlen is still having an effect. “The only explanation I have for it is that we haven’t found our footing in these games both physically and mentally. It is my main job to make sure that happens”, said Wagner to Ruhr Nachrichten: “We haven’t played strongly enough. Talent alone is not enough to survive in this league. We have to play with more force. We were overwhelmed more than we have ever been.”

On Saturday the young team has the chance to redeem themselves. “We have to help them learn as quickly as possible from this game in Ahlen. Even this league is a difficult one.”