Brandt: We joked about it after the game. I wanted to sidestep around the opponent if he came charging towards me and it worked out quite well. But sometimes it doesn't go as planned.
Julian Brandt produced one of the highlights during Bayern 04 Leverkusen's 3-2 home win over FC Ingolstadt. His classy touch created Charles Aranguiz’s goal, a feat which helped him get over the fact that his run of goalscoring came to an end. After the game he spoke to DFB.de about his future prospects, a place in Germany's EURO squad, an unusual season and his trick prior to setting up the equaliser.
Question: Mr. Brandt, why did your scoring run come to an end today?
Julian Brandt: I had my chances but their keeper made some good saves. We could've scored a couple more goals.
Question: Did this game accurately depict Leverkusen's seasons as a whole?
Brandt: We didn't get off to a good start but things improved. We turned the game around and it was good entertainment for the fans. I would've liked to watch this game!
Question: How are your thoughts ahead of the announcement of the European Championship squad?
Brandt: I reckon that any other player who is currently being linked to make the squad is not as calm as I am.
Question: But taking part in the European Championships would still be a dream come true, right?
Brandt: Absolutely. If I get the invite, even just for the pre-tournament preparations in Ascona, I would be over the moon. But right now I'm just looking to enjoy the weekend.
Question: What is your personal gut feeling? Will you be on vacation or going to France?
Brandt: It's difficult to say. There are quite a lot of good players in Germany, also in the youth teams. I'm really excited to find out what will happen, but it's difficult to predict.
Question: Do you also think that this season took an incredible turn for you at one point?
Brandt: Yes, absolutely. But there are parallels to the entire team. We had a real rollercoaster ride this season as a team and I personally went through it as well. The first half of the seasons wasn't a complete catastrophe, but it also didn't go as everyone had expected.
Question: When did you and the team experience the turning point? Sporting director Rudi Völler mentioned the game in Stuttgart.
Brandt: Yes, but our game against Hamburg was already quite good. It's quite simple actually: Once the team starts to play better as a whole, you also start to improve. We earned ourselves the victory against Hamburg and then improved against Stuttgart before going on a run.
Question: Have been practicing that move you pulled off shortly before the equaliser?
Brandt: We joked about it after the game. I wanted to sidestep around the opponent if he came charging towards me and it worked out quite well. But sometimes it doesn't go as planned.