Salzburg striker Okafor “responsible” for recovery – football
Noah Okafor was able to confirm his absolute top form in the top game in the Bundesliga.
Although the Swiss could not contribute their own goal in the 4-1 win over SK Sturm (match report >>>) this time he recorded two wonderful aces: First he served Rasmus Kristensen ideally with his heel to make it 1-0, shortly afterwards he prepared the 2-0 through Karim Adeyemi with a remarkable outside instep cross pass.
An absolute dream week came to an end for Okafor, on Wednesday he decided the Champions League hit against VfL Wolfsburg with a brace and was named “Man of the Match”.
“We had a very good game on Wednesday. The difficult thing is to confirm that. We have resolved to build on the performance from Wednesday, and we succeeded,” said the 21-year-old at “Sky” happily about the Salzburg run .
Okafor: “Had a bit of bad luck”
A few weeks ago nobody would have thought that Okafor should really drive this “bull” run. The Swiss was only number three in the Salzburg attack behind Karim Adeyemi and Benjamin Sesko, was decried as a chance death and used the many opportunities, coach Matthias Jaissle rarely gave him.
“It wasn’t always easy for me. I was often battered and had a bit of bad luck, but I didn’t let myself be dragged down. The club is behind me, an Okafor looks back on the last few weeks. Now it’s about the sprinter his Maintaining top shape and, most importantly, staying fit.
In his previous time in Salzburg, an upswing was usually followed by a setback for the Swiss, and minor injuries and illnesses often played a bad role.
(Text is involved under the VIDEO)
Trainer feedback makes Okafor stronger
That’s why I want to tell Okafor: “I want to give full throttle in training and have a lot of conversations with the coach, who is always very direct. As a young player, that’s very important for development. I succeeded. I feel in top shape. So it can go on. “
Even after his gala night against Wolfsburg, Okafor repeatedly emphasized how great Jaissle’s influence is on his current form. On Sunday he repeats this statement analogously.
The only 33-year-old RBS coach has helped him improve everywhere. “He says there is a lot of room for improvement. I accepted that, I know that too. I always try to do my best in training and to develop everywhere.”
Jaissle: “He is responsible for it himself”
Jaissle, however: “He is responsible for it himself. He is hardworking and open to things that I find and the coaching team give him.”
While the predecessor of the German, Jesse Marsch, Okafor often used in the half position on, where the strengths of the Swiss did not really come into their own, and always left out the fast right foot in short games, Jaissle relies on Okafor as a striker and also gave him after a weak start to the season there are always opportunities. He was allowed to play in the Champions League against Lille from the start, although the currently injured Sesko was still fit at the time.
“Basically, it was primarily about regaining self-confidence. He had an easy start and is now on the right track,” said Jaissle, explaining the almost meteoric rise of Okafors.
Text source: © LAOLA1.at
to the top » COMMENTS..
The comments of the users do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the LAOLA1 editorial team. LAOLA1 reserves the right to delete comments without giving reasons, in particular if they violate criminal or civil law norms, contradict common decency or otherwise run counter to LAOLA1’s reputation. We refer in this context in particular to our Terms of Use. In such cases, the user cannot assert any claims. Sportradar Media Services GmbH also reserves the right to assert claims for damages and to report offenses relevant to criminal law.