Rolfes on Hradecky's form collapse: "Lukas must trust in his strengths."
While there may soon be a coaching change at Germany's red company team, Leverkusen boss Simon Rolfes insists that the club maintains belief in keeper and captain Lukas Hradecky.
Leverkusen's long-time #1 has had an absolutely atrocious start to the season. Finnish keeper Lukas Hradecky found his worst nightmares confirmed last Friday night against defending champions FC Bayern München as well. An amateurish error and an absolute howler left him primarily responsible for two of Bayern's four goals in the 0-4 loss.
Die Werkself aren't well poised for a re-think at the net-minder position. The somewhat more experienced backup Lennart Grill was shipped off on loan to 1. FC Union Berlin during the offseason. Andrey Lunev hadn't played in the Bundesliga before a suspension for Hradecky forced him into a debut in round two. Niklas Lomb still had only two top-tier appearances to his name.
Simply state, the club needs its captain. Speaking to Germany's preeminent footballing publication, Leverkusen's chief personnel executive Simon Rolfes emphasized that the club was prepared to stick with the 32-year-old through thick and thin. Rolfes also expressed confidence that the Finn would come through this.
"He is having an unfortunate phase and needs to regain composure and confidence in his actions," Rolfes told Kicker Magazine, ""Lukáš has to trust in his strengths, his reaction speed and in one-on-one situations to regain confidence. He's not the only one who has made mistakes recently. He has to believe in himself despite the mistakes. Lukas has the quality to show that."