Marc Roca: “In the Bayern dressing room no one talks about 2-8 anymore”

Marc Roca (26-11-1996, Vilafranca del Penedés) is the seventh spanish that plays for Bayern from Munich after Javi Martínez, Thiago, Reina, Bernat, Xabi Alonso and Odriozola. At 25 years old, learn from the greatest And, although he is not having too many minutes, he is the best ‘informant’ of how Bayern lives the hours before the game in which Barça is playing its future in the Champions League. He chatted on the phone with Ace.

How is Munich?

We have already seen that in Germany the incidents have increased and, unfortunately, we will not be able to play with the public. We love the energy that is generated in the Allianz and it is better to play with the people behind it, but there is no choice.

Is Bayern as big as we suspect from afar?

In the end, it is a club that has a spectacular structure, but is very familiar.

What was it like walking into a locker room with legends who have won everything?

The reception was good. Entering a changing room with so many stars generates respect, but the welcome was warm. It was also important to get to know the language. I have already learned German and that also helps. And in the end, being in such a big club always helps you. I think that right now, even if I don’t play everything I expected, I am a better footballer than when I arrived, physically and tactically. Like any player, you want to participate, but I put my energy into giving my best and growing.

What is soccer like in Germany? There is great talk of Flick and Nagelsmann, whom you have had as technicians.

Different from Spain. In LaLiga, more control, positional football is played, to generate superiorities. In the Bundesliga, football is more box to box. You attack earlier, you play faster. I’m not saying it’s neither better nor worse, it’s different. Here is a more dynamic and direct football.

How is the relationship with players with whom you have to play the position like Kimmich or Goretzka?

We respect each other. Competitiveness is important, but I learn from them.

With whom do you make the most of friends? Javi Martínez left …

Javi Martínez helped me at the beginning. I have a very good relationship with Lucas, who is like another Spaniard … I also have a lot of relationship with Gnabry or Pavard.

People are curious to know how they will handle a match in which they are already classified.

We are Bayern. Although we are classified, we are going to go out to win that game.

Where were you on the day of 2-8, what did they tell you about that game?

Well, I was back from training with Espanyol and I was in the car. It would arrive around minute 30 and I already saw it until the end … Bayern were so superior … But that’s in the past, I wasn’t even in Lisbon. What I can say is that 2-8 is no longer talked about in the dressing room. That already happened. But we owe it to our people and we will win with everything.

Do Neuer and Müller impress in the dressing room?

There are many things you have to learn from them. I am working every day with living legends, who master all the concepts of the game and who train like great professionals.

How did it feel in the dressing room that Lewandowski did not win the Ballon d’Or?

I am not the one who has to say if it is fair or not because there are some votes, but in there we had the illusion that I could win. He really deserved it. He had won six titles. And not only that, we are talking about who is Lewandowski, his career. He has given a lot to Bayern.

Do you think it will continue?

There are always rumors, but it is clear to me that Lewandowski is happy at Bayern and eager to continue.

You work a lot on the mental part. He even does meditation.

Meditating relaxes me, gives me peace of mind. In the end, it helps you to handle situations that you did not expect, to have the right energy. In football, not everything is perfect as it seems. Since 2018, I work with a coach, Joseba del Carmen (works, among others, with John Rahm). He helps me work on how to play from not thinking, from emptiness.

You have searched for a good place to exercise your mind in Munich.

Yes, we live in the center, next to the Garten. Nature gives you peace.

Have your parakeet friends already sent you a message for Wednesday?

Not yet, but surely someone falls …