Julian Draxler was the undisputed match winner for Wolfsburg last night, before he had to rush off for a random drugs test. The World Cup winner scored twice in Wolfsburg’s 3-2 win over Belgian champions Gent in their Champions League last 16 clash. Both goals were proof of how much potential the former Schalke player has, and they showed exactly why Wolfsburg were so interested in signing him. The team bus had to wait for him after his stellar performance as he recovered after his random drugs test, but he had time to talk to DFB.de about why he nabbed the match ball after the final whistle.
Question: Mr Draxler, you seem rushed and not in a good mood. Surely you must be happy after your two amazing goals and beating Gent?
Julian Draxler: Yeah, I'm happy as well. I am just a bit stressed because the lads have had to wait a long time for me on the bus, due to me having to do a drugs test. I am obviously really happy as well because the team played well and I put in a good performance. It’s great that we have put ourselves in a good position going into the second leg.
Question: In the closing stages Gent put your defence under a lot of pressure and managed to score two goals. What’s your prevailing feeling at the moment, disappointment because you conceded those two goals or happiness because of your strong performance?
Draxler: Obviously I am happy because we got a good result even though we conceded twice. It was definitely annoying to let in a couple of goals as it spoiled what would have been a perfect position going into the second leg. However, just winning here was important, as now we hold all the cards.
Question: After the game you went up to the referee and got the match ball. That usually only happens when you put in a memorable performance. Was this performance your best so far in a Wolfsburg kit?
Draxler: I don’t know, in my opinion it was my most rewarding game because of the two goals. Things like this don’t happen every day in the Champions League, so it will be a nice souvenir for me.
Question: For 80 minutes VFL put in an assertive and polished performance, even if the two goals at the end tarnished it slightly. How do you rate your chances ahead of the return leg at the VW-Arena?
Draxler: We can be confident going into the second leg, in three weeks time, but we have seen how dangerous Gent can be, especially when people have already written them off. We have now been warned and know about the quality they have in their squad, but we believe in ourselves and want to get through to the quarterfinals.
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Julian Draxler was the undisputed match winner for Wolfsburg last night, before he had to rush off for a random drugs test. The World Cup winner scored twice in Wolfsburg’s 3-2 win over Belgian champions Gent in their Champions League last 16 clash. Both goals were proof of how much potential the former Schalke player has, and they showed exactly why Wolfsburg were so interested in signing him. The team bus had to wait for him after his stellar performance as he recovered after his random drugs test, but he had time to talk to DFB.de about why he nabbed the match ball after the final whistle.
Question: Mr Draxler, you seem rushed and not in a good mood. Surely you must be happy after your two amazing goals and beating Gent?
Julian Draxler: Yeah, I'm happy as well. I am just a bit stressed because the lads have had to wait a long time for me on the bus, due to me having to do a drugs test. I am obviously really happy as well because the team played well and I put in a good performance. It’s great that we have put ourselves in a good position going into the second leg.
Question: In the closing stages Gent put your defence under a lot of pressure and managed to score two goals. What’s your prevailing feeling at the moment, disappointment because you conceded those two goals or happiness because of your strong performance?
Draxler: Obviously I am happy because we got a good result even though we conceded twice. It was definitely annoying to let in a couple of goals as it spoiled what would have been a perfect position going into the second leg. However, just winning here was important, as now we hold all the cards.
Question: After the game you went up to the referee and got the match ball. That usually only happens when you put in a memorable performance. Was this performance your best so far in a Wolfsburg kit?
Draxler: I don’t know, in my opinion it was my most rewarding game because of the two goals. Things like this don’t happen every day in the Champions League, so it will be a nice souvenir for me.
Question: For 80 minutes VFL put in an assertive and polished performance, even if the two goals at the end tarnished it slightly. How do you rate your chances ahead of the return leg at the VW-Arena?
Draxler: We can be confident going into the second leg, in three weeks time, but we have seen how dangerous Gent can be, especially when people have already written them off. We have now been warned and know about the quality they have in their squad, but we believe in ourselves and want to get through to the quarterfinals.
