All the players had already visited Europa-Park Stadion during the week, with individual performance tests taking place from Wednesday to Friday. Sunday morning, however, was the first time the dressing room had been properly full this season as Julian Schuster put his squad through their first team training session of the new term.
Outside, around 3,000 supporters were waiting in 32°C heat, with next to no shade available. Inside, the team first sang happy birthday to Leon Catak, who turned 20 on Sunday. U23 squad members Catak and Mateo Zelic made the step up to join the senior session, while Mio Backhaus, Berkay Yilmaz, Karl Steinmann, Rouven Tarnutzer and Rihito Yamamoto lined up for the traditional new-signings photo. For clarity regarding the pronunciation of SC’s new Japanese players, Rihito is pronounced “Ree-hee-toh”, while Keisuke Goto’s first name is pronounced “Kay-skeh”.

World Cup players Goto, Yuito Suzuki, Philipp Lienhart, Igor Matanovic and Johan Manzambi are still enjoying a well-earned break. The two Japan internationals are expected back for the second week of training in Freiburg, with Lienhart and Matanovic returning six days later to join the squad at their training camp in Schruns on Saturday. Unsurprisingly, the many journalists in attendance were keen to hear the latest on Manzambi. “The signs are clearly pointing towards a move, and we are in talks,” said board member Jochen Saier. “Johan had a special season for us and made the difference on plenty of occasions. He also helped Switzerland enjoy a good World Cup run and scored goals himself. That naturally leads to interest, and we are open to the possibility of a move.”

There were also plenty of questions about Noah Atubolu’s future after he trained individually on Sunday morning. Saier said: “It is no secret that we spent a long time trying to agree a contract extension. Communication was always open, and Noah is perfectly entitled to have chosen a different path for himself. He is in talks with other clubs, and I am convinced we will part on very good terms.”

SC’s new man between the sticks is Mio Backhaus. The arrival from Werder Bremen was unfazed by the headlines surrounding the goalkeeping position when he spoke to the media. “I’m just trying to do my own thing,” said the 22-year-old. “I can’t promise that everything will always come off, but I can promise to give 100 per cent every time.” The German-Japanese goalkeeper could also prove valuable away from the pitch this season. Backhaus speaks fluent Japanese and is keen to act as an interpreter for his teammates from Japan.

The first session in front of the supporters in the main stand lasted just over an hour and 15 minutes, with the squad wearing the new white away strip for their opening run-out. Once the work on the pitch was done, the players and coaching staff stuck around to sign hundreds of autographs and pose for countless selfies. After two and a half hours, Julian Schuster was the last to return to the cool confines of the stadium, soaked in sweat. Asked afterwards whether it had already been the toughest working day of the season, the head coach replied: “Not at all. Connecting with our fans is hugely important to us, and it’s something we’re happy to do.