Julian Draxler is very much looking forward to VfL Wolfsburg’s Champions League quarterfinal with Real Madrid (Wednesday, 20:45 CEST). The Germany international thinks his club have an outside chance of progressing, despite the fact that they have not been performing well in the Bundesliga recently. Draxler sat down with Sport-Informations-Dienst and discussed Real superstar Ronaldo, his first season at Wolfsburg and recent controversy surrounding his teammate Max Kruse.
Question: Mr. Draxler, what were your reactions to Real Madrid’s win over Barcelona last week?
Julian Draxler: I followed it on the internet on Saturday evening. Real deserved to win in the end, given the fact that they were able to turn the game around despite the red card. They are so strong going forward, and were always dangerous in front of goal. Cristiano Ronaldo showed his immense quality once again, and proved that he can score at any time.
Question: Are you looking forward to the match against them tomorrow evening?
Draxler: I can’t wait. It’s already an impressive achievement to have reached the quarterfinal, and to face a team like Real Madrid makes it even sweeter. We have nothing to lose, and I think that’s a big advantage for us. The stadium will be packed, and the boys are very excited. There’s not much better than playing Real Madrid on a Wednesday night in a Champions League quarterfinal.
Question: You lost 9-2 on aggregate to Real Madrid with Schalke two years ago. Why won’t this happen again with Wolfsburg?
Draxler: You can’t guarantee anything. However, we have shown in the Champions League that we can more than hold our own against strong teams. We are not scared of Real Madrid. We have a huge amount of respect of course, and we can’t make it too easy for them. I don’t think the same thing will happen again, as two years ago with Schalke we lost the first game 6-1. I’m sure we will be able to get a good result at home.
Question: This is the biggest game in the club’s history. Can you feel it?
Draxler: Since the day of the draw, the city, the club and the team have been looking forward to the matches. Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinal - it sounds amazing. The results in the Bundesliga have dampened this excitement ever so slightly, but the Champions League is its own competition and everyone in the club is fired up.
Question: Have you spoken to Real icon Raúl, with whom you spent time at Schalke?
Draxler: We got in touch after the draw actually. He wrote to me saying, since I’ve met you you’ve faced Real Madrid every year. I told him that he needs to get me tickets for the second leg for my family. He wished us the best of luck. I don’t know whether he will be supporting Wolfsburg, I imagine his heart is still with Real Madrid.
Question: Have you enjoyed your first season at Wolfsburg?
Draxler: It wasn’t easy to start with. It was my first transfer, and a lot of people were saying I had to fill the boots of Kevin De Bruyne. The most important thing for me is that I haven’t been injured, and have improved week by week as a player here. Overall I am very pleased so far.
Question:How much pressure was there initially to perform at the same level as De Bruyne?
Draxler: I knew that people would draw the comparison. I didn’t let myself be influenced by it, Kevin probably had the season of his life at Wolfsburg, and so it was always going to be difficult for me to fill his shoes immediately. I think I am on the right path, and still have a lot of developing to do.
Question: After your brace in Gent, Klaus Allofs claimed you were "one of the best talents Germany has to offer." How much good did it do you to hear that?
Draxler: I am neither a flop nor the best player in Germany, that much we can be realistic about. Of course I was pleased to hear him say that, but football changes all the time. I won’t let myself be influenced anymore.
Question: You were back in Joachim Löw's squad for the two recent internationals and even got an assist against Italy. How do you rate your chances of being included in the EURO squad?
Draxler: I showed that I was able to fight my way out of a difficult period at the end of my time at Schalke. The national coach will watch a few more games before making his final decision.
Question: You wanted to mature in Wolfsburg, have you been successful in that sense?
Draxler: It was important for me to leave home, meet new people, a new manager, a new environment. That’s crucial for any footballer who is looking to develop as a person. The transfer was a big step forward, and I don’t have any regrets.
Question: There have been plenty of headlines recently surrounding Nicklas Bendtner and Max Kruse. How does this affect the team?
Draxler: It’s not an issue for us at all. He has the freedom to decide what he does in his private life. Teammates aren’t there to get involved in things like that. As a professional you have to be careful of damaging your personal reputation or that of the club, but at the end of the day it’s all about your performances on the pitch.
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Julian Draxler is very much looking forward to VfL Wolfsburg’s Champions League quarterfinal with Real Madrid (Wednesday, 20:45 CEST). The Germany international thinks his club have an outside chance of progressing, despite the fact that they have not been performing well in the Bundesliga recently. Draxler sat down with Sport-Informations-Dienst and discussed Real superstar Ronaldo, his first season at Wolfsburg and recent controversy surrounding his teammate Max Kruse.
Question: Mr. Draxler, what were your reactions to Real Madrid’s win over Barcelona last week?
Julian Draxler: I followed it on the internet on Saturday evening. Real deserved to win in the end, given the fact that they were able to turn the game around despite the red card. They are so strong going forward, and were always dangerous in front of goal. Cristiano Ronaldo showed his immense quality once again, and proved that he can score at any time.
Question: Are you looking forward to the match against them tomorrow evening?
Draxler: I can’t wait. It’s already an impressive achievement to have reached the quarterfinal, and to face a team like Real Madrid makes it even sweeter. We have nothing to lose, and I think that’s a big advantage for us. The stadium will be packed, and the boys are very excited. There’s not much better than playing Real Madrid on a Wednesday night in a Champions League quarterfinal.
Question: You lost 9-2 on aggregate to Real Madrid with Schalke two years ago. Why won’t this happen again with Wolfsburg?
Draxler: You can’t guarantee anything. However, we have shown in the Champions League that we can more than hold our own against strong teams. We are not scared of Real Madrid. We have a huge amount of respect of course, and we can’t make it too easy for them. I don’t think the same thing will happen again, as two years ago with Schalke we lost the first game 6-1. I’m sure we will be able to get a good result at home.
Question: This is the biggest game in the club’s history. Can you feel it?
Draxler: Since the day of the draw, the city, the club and the team have been looking forward to the matches. Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinal - it sounds amazing. The results in the Bundesliga have dampened this excitement ever so slightly, but the Champions League is its own competition and everyone in the club is fired up.
Question: Have you spoken to Real icon Raúl, with whom you spent time at Schalke?
Draxler: We got in touch after the draw actually. He wrote to me saying, since I’ve met you you’ve faced Real Madrid every year. I told him that he needs to get me tickets for the second leg for my family. He wished us the best of luck. I don’t know whether he will be supporting Wolfsburg, I imagine his heart is still with Real Madrid.
Question: Have you enjoyed your first season at Wolfsburg?
Draxler: It wasn’t easy to start with. It was my first transfer, and a lot of people were saying I had to fill the boots of Kevin De Bruyne. The most important thing for me is that I haven’t been injured, and have improved week by week as a player here. Overall I am very pleased so far.
Question:How much pressure was there initially to perform at the same level as De Bruyne?
Draxler: I knew that people would draw the comparison. I didn’t let myself be influenced by it, Kevin probably had the season of his life at Wolfsburg, and so it was always going to be difficult for me to fill his shoes immediately. I think I am on the right path, and still have a lot of developing to do.
Question: After your brace in Gent, Klaus Allofs claimed you were "one of the best talents Germany has to offer." How much good did it do you to hear that?
Draxler: I am neither a flop nor the best player in Germany, that much we can be realistic about. Of course I was pleased to hear him say that, but football changes all the time. I won’t let myself be influenced anymore.
Question: You were back in Joachim Löw's squad for the two recent internationals and even got an assist against Italy. How do you rate your chances of being included in the EURO squad?
Draxler: I showed that I was able to fight my way out of a difficult period at the end of my time at Schalke. The national coach will watch a few more games before making his final decision.
Question: You wanted to mature in Wolfsburg, have you been successful in that sense?
Draxler: It was important for me to leave home, meet new people, a new manager, a new environment. That’s crucial for any footballer who is looking to develop as a person. The transfer was a big step forward, and I don’t have any regrets.
Question: There have been plenty of headlines recently surrounding Nicklas Bendtner and Max Kruse. How does this affect the team?
Draxler: It’s not an issue for us at all. He has the freedom to decide what he does in his private life. Teammates aren’t there to get involved in things like that. As a professional you have to be careful of damaging your personal reputation or that of the club, but at the end of the day it’s all about your performances on the pitch.
