Speaking in a media round at the beginning of the year, Sebastian Kehl, the head of the licensed player division, cast a look back at the first half of the season and laid out the goals for this year. He also gave an update on the injured players.

Sebastian Kehl on the first half-season:
"Shortly after the match against Hertha, I said that the first half-season had been okay. By finishing second in the league table with 34 points, we achieved a very good placement. However, we did not play the outstanding first half of the season that was required in order to keep Bayern Munich in check for a little while longer. We were not satisfied with December. We picked up only four points from four Bundesliga matches; the defeat against Hertha really hurt and that's why we're not entirely satisfied with the Bundesliga campaign." 

…the winter break:
"Those days did us good. It was a very intense six months for us with many challenges and matters to deal with on a sporting level, but on a socio-political level as well. After the Hertha game, it was good to take a breather for a few days. When the boys came back, I saw lots of motivation and lots of excitement for what lies ahead of us. We still have some objectives and we are capable of achieving them."

…the opening fixtures of the second half-season:
"This is an opportunity. In the next five games, we will go up against direct rivals who are beneath us in the table. We start on Saturday against Frankfurt, a team that has made headlines in recent weeks and rediscovered its stability of old. We know that it will be a difficult game. But we also have the chance to cement our position in the standings. And there's the matter of securing Champions League qualification too."

…the objectives:
"We are ultimately judged by our results. We have the opportunity to defend our title in the DFB-Pokal. That's a great goal that is worth fighting for. It's also worth giving everything in the Europa League, which we haven't won before, and embracing the competition. We want to achieve these goals; we want to be successful in sporting terms and the best way to do that is with a good attitude and the right approach."

…the injured players:
"Manuel Akanji is running. After the operation, he is not yet an option for the weekend – but he is on track. Raphael Guerreiro has trained with us, Youssoufa Moukoko was there too. Giovanni Reyna has completed parts of the training."

… Giovanni Reyna:
"Gio made a bright start to this season and produced some outstanding displays in the diamond. He moves cleverly between the lines, but also cuts inside from wide positions, poses a goal threat and has a slyness about him. We would like to have him back. It was a difficult period for him, but he is stable again. He is taking part in some parts of training; that will increase in the next few days. That's what the boys need; they want to play and have fun." 

… Youssoufa Moukoko:
"It was not an easy year for Youssoufa. Although he wasn't an injury-prone guy, he's been through the mill recently. He has big ambitions for this year. It will also be important for him to train regularly at this level. That said, I hope and trust that he can be the difference-maker for us at one moment or another. He knows where the goal is. He will head into this year without pressure but with a lot of hope."
Transcribed by Christina Reinke