FC St. Pauli

Hi Philipp, two sessions and two nights into training camp, how are you finding things in the Passeier Valley?

The conditions are super! And they say the weather is going to be really good over the next few days. A training camp is obviously good for settling into the squad, pulling closer together and consolidating the group, and that already took place on the journey down and on the first day. I'm looking forward to the next few days.

You've been playing on the left in the warm-up games, though normally you play on the right. Are you gearing yourself up for being used on the left for the time being?

I played on the left a few times at Freiburg when a teammate was out injured. I'm flexible, I have no problem with it. I play where the coach puts me.  I always do my best whether I'm on on the right or the left. On the left you can always cut into the centre of the attack and thus onto your stronger foot, though I think I have a good left foot as well and can hit good crosses, which makes me harder to predict for the opposition.

Have you got used to Fabian Hürzeler's philosophy yet, and is it very different from the one at Freiburg?

They're very similar in terms of the intensity. Here, a lot of importance is attached to the work with the ball. I can identify with that. I'm always looking to find solutions, especially going forward. I still have a lot to learn in that respect and that's one of the reasons I joined FC St. Pauli. It was the right move for my development.

We're halfway through pre-season, with just under three weeks to go until the league kicks off. What are your targets for the rest of the preparations?

To begin with, I want to do my best and continue to develop. You can still develop, even in pre-season, which doesn't last too long. I want to establish myself. Every footballer wants to play and I'm no exception. I aim to do my best in training and in matches so the coach can't leave me out. If I don't manage that, I'll work harder to get there.

How pleased have you been with your performances in the warm-up games?

It’s gone quite well. I get the feeling I've slotted in well, though a lot is new when it comes to my positioning. The gaffer has shown me situations on video where I could have taken up a different position. I'm taking it all in and trying to improve.

Tomorrow you face Austria Lustenau. What kind of game are you expecting?

Like Randers, another top-flight team, this time from Austria. Good opposition for sure, we'll have to press the ball with high intensity again. We want to put into practice the things we're working on in training. We obviously want to win every warm-up game and, for me as a defender, that means preferably without conceding a goal.

On the opening day of the season we go to Kaiserslautern, where you played in your youth. It's sure to be a special game for you. How much are you looking forward to it?

I was obviously happy when I heard we were starting at Kaiserslautern. Because it's my boyhood club and I was a ball boy at the Betzenberg. I've always dreamed of being able to play in front of so many people. It's not far from where I come from, so I'll have to get some tickets. I hope to be involved, of course.

Photos: FC St. Pauli/Witters