In this season of spring break getaways, it’s fair to say class was back in session for the Chicago Fire Monday at the Toyota Park training ground. After a rare instance of consecutive days free of team commitments, the culture of learning that Veljko Paunovic has fostered within his side was back on display as the Fire prepare for a Saturday clash with the Philadelphia Union (4 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago).
Razvan Cocis pausing the full-squad action for a 1-on-1 chat with goalkeeper Patrick McLain. Assistant coach Marko Mitrovic demonstrating a run to Brazilian defender Rodrigo Ramos, with Gilberto assisting in translation. Paunovic addressing the group in full to point out a missed chance to circulate the ball out of pressure and into space.
Sights like these from Monday's training have not been uncommon at Fire training sessions this season, and that’s just how Paunovic likes it.
WATCH: Behind-the-Scenes at Fire Training
“I feel I’m challenged by being better and giving better information, communicating with our players, with our environment that surrounds us,” Paunovic said Monday, reflecting on the early stages of his tenure as Fire head coach. “I’m challenged by speaking different languages. I’m also challenged as a coach to use all my skills and all my experiences and knowledge in order to build the team and be competitive.”
Even with a number of contributors away on international duty or recovering from lingering injuries, 13 days between matches has provided an opportune chance for Paunovic, his staff and players to dig in on day-to-day improvement. As of Monday, Paunovic is pleased with the results.
“We explained the goals to the guys and what we want to achieve in the last week and the week to come,” he said. “We set all those goals on the fitness level, on the technical/tactical level, mentality also, how we can improve that, and we worked together on that. I think that helps for them to know what we are going to do, how we are going to do it, why we are doing it.
“I would say we are very happy with what we did with this long break that we have and at the same time, starting from today I would say the guys are more fresh, more -- not motivated, but now they know they have to prepare for the game and that helps to work better, to improve the quality and the focus.”
Not surprisingly, Paunovic admitted Monday to routinely providing instruction intended to produce results on the weekend while simultaneously keeping an eye on the club’s long-term development.
“It’s a lot of analysis, a lot of meeting of the staff and we are really working hard,” he said. “I can tell you I’m really proud of the players, everyone in the club, the staff who is giving their maximum, 100 percent, in every session, every day, every game.”
