FC St. Pauli

Hello Sebastian, you're three weeks into pre-season, how it's going so far?

We've trained very hard and I'm feeling it, but it'll get better as we go on. The number of high-intensity sessions will fall the closer we get to the opening day and the focus on football increases.

You wore the number 43 shirt last season but now there's a 2 above your name. Was there a reason for the change of number?

Numbers that are too high should be jettisoned. Two is a good low number. It's also traditional for a full-back, so that's fine. My younger brother has the two and now I do, too.

All the new signings have emphasised the quality in the squad. What can you say about our new acquisitions?

The new lads bring a lot of quality and we get on well off the pitch, too, which is good for gelling as a team and doing things together.

Let's turn our attention to the new coaching team - what's it like working with the three of them?

It's been a lot of fun so far. It's a young team and they're doing an excellent job. Their age isn't important, though, only the quality they have. You sense they're really up for it and want to improve us as a team every day.

And if we turn to your German, how's it coming on?

I still find it difficult to speak, German grammar isn't easy, after all, but I understand a lot now and that's important.

Sebastian Ohlsson began the opening warm-up game against Holstein Kiel on the right of a back three alongside Marvin Senger and Philipp Ziereis.

You spent most of last season at right-back, though you did play at left-back occasionally and in holding midfield in the latter stages of the campaign. Where will we see you next term?

My main position is on the right of a back four or a back three. I'm open for both options and it's up to the coach to pick his formation and decide where he wants to put me.

How do you feel last season went for you personally?

I was satisfied with my performances. It was a good season for me and I got a lot of games. I had to play more defensively than I was used to, but that wasn't a problem. I'd like to get forward more and contribute more assists.

In the 2-1 home defeat of Erzgebirge Aue, Sebastian Ohlsson, seen here under challenge from Malcolm Cacutalua, made the opening goal for Dimitrios Diamantakos. It was his only assist last season.

There were three Scandinavians in the squad last season in you, Leo Østigård, Viktor Gyökeres but now you're the only one left. How are you dealing with that?

Players come and go, that's football. It's totally not a problem for me and it's probably better for my German as well (he laughs). I got on well with Leo and Viktor, but I also get on very well with all the other lads in the squad.

How did you see the first two warm-up games against Kiel and Aarhus?

The first half against Kiel was good, we gave very little away. After the break we had a few problems. It was our first warm-up game, though, so it's normal when some things don't come off.

There are three weeks to go until the competitive start in the DFB Cup. What are your targets going into the second half of pre-season?

I aim to be in perfect shape for the start of the season and will do everything I can to get there over the next three weeks. As a team we want to get to know the playing philosophy better and take it on board. We want to get the best possible preparation so as to make the best possible start.

Photos: Witters