Two Germany internationals will be on the pitch for VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday night as they face defending champions FC Bayern München in the DFB Cup, namely Mario Gomez and 22-year-old Yannick Gerhardt, who did need some time to adjust in Wolfsburg but in November made his Germany debut.
DFB.de: Mr. Gerhadt, what chance do you reckon VfL have in this tie?
Yannick Gerhardt: We are clearly the underdogs against Bayern. When we played there in the league this season, we lost comfortably but the circumstances on Tuesday will be different - it’s a cup game. We shouldn’t give up before the match has even started. Instead, we must try to play without pressure and look to cause an upset.
DFB.de: What is your view on how Bayern are currently playing?
Gerhardt: Obviously they still have outstanding individual quality, but they are not always able to dominate for the full 90 minutes in the way they would a few years ago. Bayern only need two or three efforts or a set-piece to decide the game. They are winning matches, which of course is a quality in itself.
DFB.de: Wolfsburg have strengthened their own squad through the signing of Yunus Malli. What is your impression of the new man?
Gerhardt: Yunus has a lot of quality and he has already made an impact in his first two appearances. Of course there is still room to improve since he’s only just joined the club. We still have to integrate him further.
DFB.de: You were signed by Dieter Hecking from 1. FC Köln, with the coach describing you as a young, dynamic player and a very good passer of the ball. However a scrappy start to the season saw the coach leave the club. How difficult was the first half of the season?
Gerhardt: I had imagined it going differently, like everyone in the club. When I came to Wolfsburg I expected us to be up there in the top half of the table. Most of all, the team is responsible for our lack of success. Despite our difficult situation I still feel happy here in Wolfsburg. The team welcomed me really nicely and I’ve played a lot of games. Even when things aren’t going for you, you can still learn a lot and come out of it stronger. That’s what I want to show in the second half of the season.
DFB.de: How do you think your Germany debut went?
Gerhardt: For me it was the highlight of my career so far. Being able to play for the national team alone was great, but to do it at the San Siro against Italy was amazing. It was a huge honour just being on the pitch with all these world class players and to be honest, I was quite nervous before the game. But I also really enjoyed it.
DFB.de: You also visited the Vatican with the team and were hosted by the Pope.
Gerhardt: Regardless of one’s belief, Pope Francis stands for piece on this earth. I really enjoyed the visit and I think it’s an important statement, to stand for peace in the time we live in today.
DFB.de: Your sister Anna plays for FC Bayern München and also made her Germany debut. Were you the one who taught her how to play football?
Gerhardt: Not really, but she also had to come along whenever I would be playing a tournament. Maybe she started copying some of the things I was doing. When you are just 18 years old and playing for FC Bayern it really says something about you, no matter if for the women’s or men’s team. Anna is still very young, but I hope she continues her fantastic development.
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Two Germany internationals will be on the pitch for VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday night as they face defending champions FC Bayern München in the DFB Cup, namely Mario Gomez and 22-year-old Yannick Gerhardt, who did need some time to adjust in Wolfsburg but in November made his Germany debut.
DFB.de: Mr. Gerhadt, what chance do you reckon VfL have in this tie?
Yannick Gerhardt: We are clearly the underdogs against Bayern. When we played there in the league this season, we lost comfortably but the circumstances on Tuesday will be different - it’s a cup game. We shouldn’t give up before the match has even started. Instead, we must try to play without pressure and look to cause an upset.
DFB.de: What is your view on how Bayern are currently playing?
Gerhardt: Obviously they still have outstanding individual quality, but they are not always able to dominate for the full 90 minutes in the way they would a few years ago. Bayern only need two or three efforts or a set-piece to decide the game. They are winning matches, which of course is a quality in itself.
DFB.de: Wolfsburg have strengthened their own squad through the signing of Yunus Malli. What is your impression of the new man?
Gerhardt: Yunus has a lot of quality and he has already made an impact in his first two appearances. Of course there is still room to improve since he’s only just joined the club. We still have to integrate him further.
DFB.de: You were signed by Dieter Hecking from 1. FC Köln, with the coach describing you as a young, dynamic player and a very good passer of the ball. However a scrappy start to the season saw the coach leave the club. How difficult was the first half of the season?
Gerhardt: I had imagined it going differently, like everyone in the club. When I came to Wolfsburg I expected us to be up there in the top half of the table. Most of all, the team is responsible for our lack of success. Despite our difficult situation I still feel happy here in Wolfsburg. The team welcomed me really nicely and I’ve played a lot of games. Even when things aren’t going for you, you can still learn a lot and come out of it stronger. That’s what I want to show in the second half of the season.
DFB.de: How do you think your Germany debut went?
Gerhardt: For me it was the highlight of my career so far. Being able to play for the national team alone was great, but to do it at the San Siro against Italy was amazing. It was a huge honour just being on the pitch with all these world class players and to be honest, I was quite nervous before the game. But I also really enjoyed it.
DFB.de: You also visited the Vatican with the team and were hosted by the Pope.
Gerhardt: Regardless of one’s belief, Pope Francis stands for piece on this earth. I really enjoyed the visit and I think it’s an important statement, to stand for peace in the time we live in today.
DFB.de: Your sister Anna plays for FC Bayern München and also made her Germany debut. Were you the one who taught her how to play football?
Gerhardt: Not really, but she also had to come along whenever I would be playing a tournament. Maybe she started copying some of the things I was doing. When you are just 18 years old and playing for FC Bayern it really says something about you, no matter if for the women’s or men’s team. Anna is still very young, but I hope she continues her fantastic development.
