Stephen O'Donnell has revealed the dressing room mantra from Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson as the Steelmen prepare to fly to Germany for their Conference League play-off against Freiburg. The experienced defender has also declared himself fit for the second leg as Motherwell look to overturn a 3-1 deficit.
Belief key as Motherwell face uphill task
Johansson has told his players “to still believe” as they prepare for the trip, according to Scott Burns in Germany. The Steelmen produced a gutsy display in the first leg with 10 men but ended up losing 3-1. They now face last season's Europa League finalists on their own turf.
Motherwell need to win by at least two goals at the Europa Park Stadium to have any chance of turning the tie around. O'Donnell knows they must adopt the mindset that the game can be turned around, which would be viewed as Motherwell's best ever European result if it happened.
O'Donnell on Johansson's message
Asked what Johansson's message was after the first leg, O'Donnell said: “To still believe when we're going to go over there.
“It's obviously great that we've had the week to prep for it, which is nice, especially when you're trying to get some boys back, try and get some boys fitter. Hopefully, it becomes a much better game that we can get after them we have 11 men on the pitch.
“I thought in the first game, Joe (Hodge) did exceptionally well for his second start. You had Seb (Palmer-Houlden) coming on only in the building really yesterday.
“So look, it was some good signs and hopefully we'll be stronger for it, and bring on Thursday for what's going to be a big travelling support. Hopefully give them a game to be at the very worst proud of, and hopefully get a result.”
Defender insists these are the games players want
Freiburg spent over £30 million over the summer and were one of the top teams in the Bundesliga last season. O'Donnell insisted these are the games you want to play and challenge yourself in.
He thought his team did well, especially after Martin Moormann was sent off and is suspended for the trip to Germany. They kept it close although the third Freiburg goal deep into stoppage time was a killer.
The former Scotland cap insisted: “If you don't want to be involved in these sorts of games, I don't think you really want to be a footballer.
“It'll be an amazing experience, and hopefully one we can do ourselves proud. We've done that tonight, albeit the third goal maybe makes it a bit of a sickness and a bit worse looking on paper, but if we go over there with a 2-1 and a 3-1, we're still in the game.
“Again, I think we can be better and we'll definitely need to be that to get a result over there.”
O'Donnell delighted to return from injury
The 34-year-old was delighted to come off the bench against Freiburg. He had missed the first two European ties due to an injury suffered in pre-season against Aarhus. It was even more frustrating as new signing Dylan Williams and Johnny Koutroumbis are also sidelined. Johansson had to play Jake Girdwood-Reich out of position against Freiburg before O'Donnell's entry.
O'Donnell claimed: “I was obviously, when I seen Martin go down, I looked as if he was getting sent off. I've shot out quick because I'm wanting to go on. I'm wanting to get back on the pitch. It's what I love. I don't love training.
“I love playing games and I've been on plenty of occasions here at Fir Park when the crowd's on your back, when there's not that many seats filled. These are the nights I want to be playing in. I was delighted to go on and just disappointed I wasn't in the previous two rounds here.”
