Diary from Belek: Day 10 at the Training Camp

Finally matchday again! As the training camp in Belek gradually approached its final stretch, the last full day on the Turkish Riviera quenched the thirst for a real competition after nearly a month-long break. With twelve intense sessions under their belts, the athletes faced off against Paksi FC, who had arrived two days earlier, on the hotel’s training ground. While the first half didn’t go as planned, the Linzers showed a much better side after the break, correcting the score through a brace from Maximilian Entrup to finish 2-3.

However, the focus was on other aspects. “It was a good and important test for us after ten very intense days. The positive takeaway is that we remained injury-free, and a few players made significant progress. I think we could see development in the areas we’ve been working on over the last ten days,” summarized head coach Markus Schopp after the team’s first outing of the new calendar year.

Exhausted from a week and a half of meticulous work, the team’s anticipation for returning home grew, even though the winter back home seems far from ready to bid farewell. After a final evening together, the team is set to fly back to Austria on Friday afternoon to recharge their batteries before the third week of preparations begins. This next phase includes two more friendly matches – on Tuesday against Admira Wacker and on Sunday, January 26th, against Union Gurten.

More updates on Instagram at lask official

Recently introduced as the new Head of Football Operations at LASK, Christian Gratzei wasted no time and headed straight to Belek to personally get a first-hand look at the players in action. There, our Black-and-Whites were hard at work once again. Head coach Markus Schopp scheduled two training sessions for the day and was pleased to note that, even on the ninth day of camp, his players showed no signs of complacency and continued to push their limits. The morning session focused on high-intensity 6-vs-6 drills, while the afternoon combined demanding exercises on the pitch and in the gym. Even the weather seemed momentarily impressed, as rain gave way to sunshine, producing a stunning rainbow over the Maxx Royal Resort training grounds (as seen in our daily gallery).

The next day, LASK will face Hungarian side Paksi FC at 12:30 PM CET (live at www.lask.at). This first match of the winter preparation phase provides the perfect opportunity to test the team’s progress under competitive conditions and gain valuable match practice. Their opponent, the reigning Hungarian runners-up, has been a consistent presence in the top tier since their first promotion in 2006 and is currently ranked fifth in the league. Under the guidance of head coach György Bognár, Paksi FC added the Hungarian Cup to their accolades last season, marking their second major title after their League Cup triumph in 2010/11. The club, based in the small central Hungarian town of Paks and currently valued at €8.53 million, will kick off their spring season a day after LASK, facing ETO Győr on February 2.

Whether the musical masterpieces of LASK’s players from the previous evening reached Hungarian ears remains unknown. Following tradition, every new player at the training camp was required to showcase their singing talents in a team-wide song contest. Who managed to drum up the most support for their performance, however, will remain a secret for now.

Find out more on Instagram at laskofficial

The eighth day on the Turkish Riviera was all about the team and also focused on recovery, allowing the athletes to recharge their batteries for the final, intense phase of the training camp. Our athletes had a bit more time for their first meal of the day and then started the team workshop full of energy (see photo gallery).

The afternoon was spent freely, offering a variety of activities such as different sports, relaxing on the beach, or enjoying the spa area. The day was rounded off with a team evening outside the hotel, where the athletes had the chance to connect with each other in a relaxed atmosphere and thoroughly enjoy the evening. Their energy levels are now fully replenished for the upcoming days, which will include a test match against FC Paksi. The final phase of the training camp is underway!

Hard work had been a mantra for the Athletiker heading into their training camp in Belek. It quickly became evident to the players that these words were no empty slogan but rather a promise being thoroughly put into action. Training sessions nine and ten were on the agenda for Monday, following position-specific group analyses in the morning. By now, evening regeneration measures had also carved out an increasingly significant role in the players’ schedules—a shift that appeared to be paying off. Head coach Markus Schopp expressed his satisfaction with his team’s training effort: “Our main focus is on creating mentality, intensity, and energy within the team so that we bring out the best of these qualities every day on the pitch. If we achieve that, we’ll have the best foundation to play the way we want to.”

The new trio—Samuel Adeniran, Mohamed Sanogo, and Ismaila Coulibaly—remained integral to these efforts and continued to make positive impressions. Schopp emphasized the importance of their adaptation: “It’s primarily about understanding the idea, having a lot of conversations, and integrating them well. They need to find their place in the group as quickly as possible, and it’s equally our job to support their integration as effectively as we can.”

In addition to energy, team spirit, and tactical work, one essential element has taken center stage in Belek: physical fitness. “We saw in the fall that too many players weren’t at 100 percent. To truly earn a place on the pitch, being fully fit is the absolute minimum. That’s what we’re working on, and we’re making sure that by the start of the season, all our players are in top shape,” Schopp reiterated. With that, he and his coaching staff turned their attention to finalizing plans for training session number eleven, scheduled for the following day.

More insights and updates can be found on Instagram at laskofficial.

Day six began with a farewell: the sun made way for light drizzle, which would go on to dominate the weather in Belek. Despite the change, the Black and Whites continued to enjoy excellent conditions, which they eagerly used to their advantage after Saturday’s rest, diving back into training with two demanding sessions. “We feel very comfortable here, the conditions are fantastic. The pitch is in top shape, and we have everything we need,” goalkeeper Tobias Lawal praised the setup at the Maxx Royal Resort on the Turkish Riviera.

As usual, the training sessions were intense. The morning focused on tactical drills, while the afternoon was dedicated to set pieces and a challenging gym session that had the players breaking a sweat. “It’s incredibly fun. I feel really good being back on the pitch with the guys, working hard together,” Lawal expressed, clearly enjoying the rigorous training despite the effort required.

While the players’ legs might be growing heavier, the Athletiker’s excitement for the second week in Belek remained undiminished.

Day five in Belek began, much like the previous days, under a radiant sun. After the usual hearty breakfast, the team kicked off the day with an activation session before heading out once again to the pitch, which had now become familiar ground for the Linzer Athletiker. On this same pitch, assistant coach Maximilian Ritscher, following in Tarik Brkic’s footsteps, faced the traditional birthday rituals in honor of his 31st birthday. Despite the celebratory antics, the morning training session was successfully completed.

Afterward, the team gathered for a short workshop, with every player contributing to the goal articulated the day before by head coach Markus Schopp: strengthening the team’s cohesion and unity.

The collective hunger of the squad was satisfied during lunch, while anticipation for the camp’s first free afternoon grew steadily. Whether it was padel tennis, golf, tennis, or simply relaxing on the beach, the short football break was a welcome change of pace for the Black and Whites. Hidden talents surfaced in various activities, proving that the team’s skills extend beyond the pitch.

The average age of the 28-man squad selected by head coach Markus Schopp and his staff for the training camp in Belek is 24.1 years. Among them, Tarik Brkic, now 19 years old as of today, holds the title of the squad’s youngest player, second only to Armin Midzic. His birthday sparked a fair share of envious glances, but it didn’t save the youngster from enduring his teammates’ vocal talents as they serenaded him in celebration. Passing through a human tunnel, Brkic was met with the traditional back pats from his teammates (as seen in the first photo of today’s gallery).

The affectionate antics of his teammates didn’t diminish the intensity of the morning training session. Once again, the time was effectively used to focus on tactical drills. With the squad now complete, the team welcomed the final missing piece, new signing Ismaila Coulibaly, who joined the group to much excitement.

Head coach Markus Schopp was delighted to have his new trio—Coulibaly, Mohamed Sanogo, and Samuel Adeniran—together and spoke with confidence and praise about their potential: “These are players who offer us different options with their profiles. It will be important for them to integrate well into the group and for the group to welcome them warmly. From a sporting perspective, they bring qualities we haven’t had in this form before.”

As on the previous day, head coach Markus Schopp didn’t settle for just one training session. In the afternoon, he sent his players back to the pitch to implement tactical plans in large-scale 11-vs-11 match simulations. "There are so many areas where we want to improve," emphasized the experienced coach. However, one aspect remains at the top of his priority list: “Above all, we want to grow closer together as a team. For that, we’re investing a lot of time, in addition to focusing on the tactical elements.”

Striker Maximilian Entrup wholeheartedly agreed with his coach’s vision. “We’re working a lot on tactics, and that’s extremely important for us. We need to keep at it. I also hope that we’ll continue pulling together in the same direction so we can have a positive second half of the season,” Entrup noted, slightly out of breath from the demanding training session.

Despite the intensity of the day, the number eleven took on an additional responsibility: hosting a social media takeover. Entrup gave fans an inside look at day four of the camp, further connecting the team to its supporters.

The second evening in Belek was just winding down when the Linzer Athletiker welcomed another prominent arrival after Maksym Talovierov. Branko Jovicic was given an equally warm reception. With the much-needed hours of sleep behind them, the Black and Whites began tackling the challenges of the third day with renewed energy just a few hours later. The bright sun shining in a cloudless blue sky added to their motivation, which was well-timed given the two training sessions scheduled for the day.

After a morning meeting, the obligatory activation program, and additional running tests on the field, the team dove into their first intensive training session of the day. Once again, it became evident that the Athletiker were leaving nothing to chance as they prepared for the spring season. This impression was further solidified in the afternoon when the two designated groups took turns training in the gym and on the pristine training pitch at the Maxx Royal Resort.

Set-piece situations were the focus of head coach Markus Schopp and his staff, with the Linz squad dedicating themselves to this critical phase of the game, both defensively and offensively. These scenarios had already proven fruitful in the fall, contributing several key goals. Meanwhile, the circuit training held in the gym demanded full effort before the players could partake in well-deserved regeneration routines ahead of the evening meal.

The evening program also held great significance, as it featured a team workshop. Players worked in various groups to outline essential pillars that would strengthen team cohesion and contribute to the development of a solid, unified collective. With valuable insights gained, day three on the Turkish Riviera gradually came to a close.

The fresh scent of green grass filled the noses of our LASK players. Finally – the wait was over. Nearly three weeks after their last competitive match, the Black and Whites stepped onto the field in Belek on Wednesday morning, returning to the place where every footballer feels their best: the pitch. The first intense training session of the year lasted a crisp 100 minutes, showing hardly any signs of the winter break.

This was no surprise given the excellent quality of the grass on the training field, conveniently located within walking distance of the Maxx Royal Resort. "We have top-notch conditions here. The weather is fantastic, the pitch is in perfect shape, everything we need is at the hotel, and there’s no need for long commutes," defender Philipp Ziereis beamed with enthusiasm. He knows exactly what lies ahead for him and his teammates in the coming days. “We’ll be working a lot on tactics since we didn’t have much time for that over the past few weeks and months because of all the matches. Fitness will also be a key focus. We want to make the most of this time to complete plenty of training sessions, get to know each other better, and grow even closer as a team,” the 31-year-old shared about the plans for their time in Belek before switching roles and playfully interviewing young talent Enis Safin as if he were a persistent investigative journalist.

Safin, however, handled the impromptu questioning with composure: “It was fun; it was a good start to the training camp. We’re in good spirits, and with plenty of motivation, the first day was a success,” the midfielder described his first impressions. When asked about possible leisure activities for the younger players, particularly involving the PlayStation, he remained tight-lipped: “There’s no PlayStation. We want to integrate more into the team and make the most of this opportunity.”

Driven by the call of the midday meal, some of the more seasoned players opted for the convenience of a golf cart instead of walking back to the hotel, ensuring they made it back in time. The second half of the day included group meetings for goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and attackers, followed by a session in the hotel’s fitness center, equipped with the latest Technogym equipment, courtesy of LASK’s partner. Regeneration was also a priority, with the team enjoying the benefits of a whirlpool.

Adding to the day’s highlights, Maksym Talovierov joined the squad as scheduled, much to the delight of his roommate Florian Flecker. With everything in place, the team is well-prepared for day three, which will feature two training sessions on the agenda.

While winter was showing off its cold side back home, the LASK professionals defied the local weather conditions and made a quick departure towards Southeastern Europe. In high spirits and full of energy, the group, consisting of 28 players, coaching staff, team management, medical personnel, and other staff members, set off on their journey to Turkey. After accounting for the time difference, they checked into the Maxx Royal Resort around 8:30 PM. "The trip went smoothly, and we’ve arrived safely. Now, we’re heading to dinner, and then it’s off to bed so we’re ready for tomorrow," said goalkeeper Tobias Lawal, preparing for an intense time ahead.

And rightfully so, because although pleasant temperatures await the athletes, the days will not be relaxing. Instead, hard work on and off the pitch tops the to-do list for the Linzers, who are looking to lay the foundation for a successful spring season in Belek. "In the training camp, we have a lot of time to train. We want to use this time well to be as prepared as possible for the spring season," stated our number one, before heading off to well-earned rest.