The Union Berlin manager admitted the botched last-minute signing of Spanish midfielder Isco was “not optimal” but gave his team credit after a 2-1 German Cup win over Wolfsburg on Tuesday. The former Real Madrid midfielder arrived in the German capital to seal a deal with the Bundesliga club ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline, but the transfer fell through at the last minute for reasons that remain unclear. Speaking after the win, Fischer said the saga had not affected his team’s preparation.
“What should I say, it wasn’t optimal,” said the Swiss coach at the post-match press conference.
“(But) we tried to stay focused on our homework, prepared for the game that (we knew) would be a fight, and we did well.
“This transfer of Isco, the way and the way we responded (shows that) the preparation for such a game was not affected.”
Union came from 1-0 down to seal a 2-1 victory, sending them to the quarter-finals of the German Cup.
Union midfielder Rani Khedira said after the match that “it would have been a good story, but we have a great team here.”
Isco, winner of the 2012 European Golden Boy award, has scored 12 goals in 38 appearances for Spain. He remains a free agent after leaving Sevilla in December.
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