-How is the adaptation to the Bundesliga going?
-Very good. I am happy that everything has returned to normal a little and we have been able to play the first games. To continue working, there are still a few more games. We are struggling to enter the Champions League, which is not yet fully closed. Working to the end.
Did you have to adapt to the physical demands in Germany?
-I came here after a good preseason, since it stops in January. Physically I was well prepared, the preseason there in Croatia is also quite tough. It didn't take much for me to adapt to training. It is true that, at first, it is a little hard because you don't know anyone and the intensity is higher. But I felt good and had no problem.
-JJOO 2021, Eurocup 2021, U21 Eurocup 2022: what would you choose?
-Can you choose all three? (laughs) If they don't coincide in dates, why not? No, I cannot choose any specific option. The Olympics and the Eurocup are a dream and the Eurocup with the Sub21 was my greatest experience of my short career yet. To repeat that experience would be incredible.
-Luis de la Fuente speaks highly of you. Were you able to speak to him during this confinement?
-Yes, we kept in touch. I recently gave another interview and the coach also asked me a question.
-How was the experience of playing behind closed doors?
-A bit strange, especially after the goal. I really wanted to celebrate it with everyone and in the end it was pretty cold. But hey, it's what it touches. The important thing is the safety and health of everyone. If you can't, then you can't. It is a shame because football without a fan is not the same, but now is what it is. We will continue to fight for them too, which I am sure will be watching us from home.
“Play behind closed doors? The important thing is everyone's safety and health. If you can't, then you can't”
-They have four days remaining in the Bundesliga, including the match that will face Leipzig with Dortmund of Haaland.
– Before facing Dortmund we have two games left. In these last four games, all points are vital considering how tight the Champions zone is. Bayern is a little more off the hook, but both Dortmund and us, Leverkusen and Gladbach are fighting for that second, third and fourth position and enter the Champions League. Those four games that come are important, above all that direct duel with Dortmund that will decide who can apply for that place.
-The Bundesliga was the first league to return and will be the first to finish. Is it an advantage or, rather, a disadvantage that they are unemployed for a month until the Champions League returns in August?
– We still don't know anything. All we know is that the last league game is on the 27th of this month, but we don't know if we are going to have a long or short vacation. What I do know is that if the Champions League is finally played in August, we will have time to prepare and be physically well. If we need a month, then we will do a preseason month. It will depend on what the technical staff considers. If we have few vacations, then it is what there is. Playing the Championships deserves any price.
-Before the signing for Leipzig was made, it also sounded for Serie A. Is it true that you were as close to Milan as was said at the time?
-Yes, there were the occasional Italian team interested, but I can't say much more. In the end I decided to sign for Leipzig. I thought it was the best decision and the best step I could take in my career. The call from sports director Markus (Krösche) and Julian (Nagelsmann, Leipzig coach) convinced me. I was convinced by their future project and the way they work with young players. I think I know that Leipzig is the team with the highest average of young players in the Bundesliga and that motivated me a lot to come here and continue growing.
1. FC Koeln v RB Leipzig – Bundesliga
Pool (Ina Fassbender / Pool via Getty Im)
-Your debut in the Champions League was Dinamo's 4-0 against Atalanta. Do you think the Italian team underestimated you that night?
-It was not an easy match, despite the result. We knew that Atalanta was a very tough opponent. It was my dream debut. As we entered the game, we were able to counter his pressure from almost man to man and, in the end, the ball entered; which is also important. The whole team signed a great match, we were very good in that first contact in the Champions League.
-How do you carry the German?
Not very well let's say. (laughs)
-It is striking that the visitors are the ones who have won the games behind closed doors. Do you notice the lack of hobby?
-Yes, it shows a little. It depends on each player, but in my case I like to play at home because you are with your people. It also motivates me to play as a visitor because you don't play with your fans. In any case, he loses that emotion a little, but we remain motivated to stay as high as possible to be in the Champions League next year. The lack of fans is not an excuse.
“Practically all the Bundesliga teams fill their stadiums. It is a nice thing”
– It does not give the sensation to be in a training without public?
-Sometimes it does happen that you lose a little control and the party goes crazy with comings and goings. You have to have a cool head and know that it is a real game, because in the end you are playing three league points. At those times we try to slow down the game a bit because, if not, things get a little crazy and that does not benefit us either.
-Is coach Julian Nagelsmann as revolutionary as your line-ups reflect?
-Yes, we change almost every game. One day we can play with a defense of three, the other day we did it with four. For us it is not a problem either. We have many players who can play in different positions. I also. It has used me as a lane, pivot, playmaker and striker. I think it is a plus to have those types of players and a coach who likes to vary. Change to seek victory. We change the scheme of each game depending on the rival. With so many multipurpose players we adapt well to the systems.
– In which position do you feel most comfortable?
-I feel better playing midfielder, behind nine.
-Has the Bundesliga surprised you?
-Yes, the stadiums, for example, are incredible. So the difference between playing with or without an audience is now noticeable. Here, practically all the Bundesliga teams fill their stadiums. It is a nice thing.
-Canned sounds are often used on television. Would it also help the players to put them in the stadium by public address system or is it better to be silent and listen to each other?
-I'm sure it would be more enjoyable for us, but we wouldn't listen to the coach or teammates' words either. Nor do I think it is a factor that can influence the party a lot.
“Werner is very easy to score. This season he has scored 25 and, surely, he will score more. He gives us a lot”
– Werner keeps scoring with or without spectators. What makes you such a special nine?
-Timo is a very fast player and, considering how we play, he gives us a lot. What we try is to play fast as long as we can, behind the defense. He is a player who, with spaces, is very difficult to stop. Another virtue that it has is the goal. He has one and puts it in. It is very easy to mark. This season in the Bundesliga he has scored 25 and will surely score more. It gives us a lot.
-You figure in the Top10 of Barça's most valuable youth squad alongside Messi. A pride, no?
-You are right. I had not seen it. But when I went to Zagreb, the idea was to be where I am right now. That decision can be considered good. Now I am also working more than ever. In this quarantine period I have focused on training. I have set up a small gym in a space that I have in my house so as not to lose my tone. It is important to come to a league as strong as the Bundesliga, you cannot stay behind.
-This year, Bayern are on track for their eighth consecutive salad bowl. For next year it will be the first time in Leipzig, right?
-We'll be there to fight. We have let out points. We had some draws at home too, but you have to keep fighting until the end and then prepare for everything that is to come.