Matthias Ginter is back for Borussia Dortmund and for the Germany national team. After a difficult season, the World Cup winner started at right back for the league leaders in a 3-1 victory against Hertha Berlin. After the interval, Ginter gave the assist for Aubameyang’s winner by playing a clever square ball across the box. DFB.de caught up with the 21-year-old after the match.
DFB.de: Mr Ginter, Dortmund, have got nine points from three games, scored 11 goals and conceded just one. You are top of the table and ahead of Bayern Munich, how good does does it feel?
Matthias Ginter: It feels great already but we've only played three games so far. We must continue to work hard. After the international break we go to Hannover and then play at home to Leverkusen, so nothing will be certain. For the moment we are just happy that we have started the season with three wins, but we know how hard we have to work for these points.
DFB.de: It was hard work against Hertha on a Sunday afternoon with temperatures of 42 degrees on the pitch.
Ginter: You could say that! It wasn't fun for any player in the midday heat. The sun was at its highest point in the sky and there was hardly any shade on the pitch. But it was the same for everyone.
DFB.de: What happened after you went 2-0 up? You missed loads of chances to make it 3-0. It seemed like you had the game under control but suddenly it could have become a lot tighter.
Ginter: After the second goal it became harder and harder for the opponents to chase us down. We had lots of space and good chances to score, but we didn't make the most of our opportunities. 2-0 is a potentially dangerous scoreline. The opposition only need one goal to get right back into the game, but once Hertha did score we didn't allow them any more chances.
Matthias Ginter is back for Borussia Dortmund and for the Germany national team. After a difficult season, the World Cup winner started at right back for the league leaders in a 3-1 victory against Hertha Berlin. After the interval, Ginter gave the assist for Aubameyang’s winner by playing a clever square ball across the box. DFB.de caught up with the 21-year-old after the match.
DFB.de: Mr Ginter, Dortmund, have got nine points from three games, scored 11 goals and conceded just one. You are top of the table and ahead of Bayern Munich, how good does does it feel?
Matthias Ginter: It feels great already but we've only played three games so far. We must continue to work hard. After the international break we go to Hannover and then play at home to Leverkusen, so nothing will be certain. For the moment we are just happy that we have started the season with three wins, but we know how hard we have to work for these points.
DFB.de: It was hard work against Hertha on a Sunday afternoon with temperatures of 42 degrees on the pitch.
Ginter: You could say that! It wasn't fun for any player in the midday heat. The sun was at its highest point in the sky and there was hardly any shade on the pitch. But it was the same for everyone.
DFB.de: What happened after you went 2-0 up? You missed loads of chances to make it 3-0. It seemed like you had the game under control but suddenly it could have become a lot tighter.
Ginter: After the second goal it became harder and harder for the opponents to chase us down. We had lots of space and good chances to score, but we didn't make the most of our opportunities. 2-0 is a potentially dangerous scoreline. The opposition only need one goal to get right back into the game, but once Hertha did score we didn't allow them any more chances.
DFB.de: Is this return to mental strength a result of the success of the past few weeks?
Ginter: When I think about last season, conceding just one goal would instil worry throughout the team. We are certainly much more stable than we were last season. We now know that and will no longer be unsettled. We can now continue to improve our game.
DFB.de: You are now being picked at right back ahead of Polish international Lukasz Piszczek. How are you enjoying your new position?
Ginter: I feel very at home on the right. I generally don’t really mind where I play, as long as I am playing, but right back is naturally a good option.
DFB.de: When did you realise you wanted to play full back? Or was it the manager’s decision?
Ginter: It just sort of happened. The first time was in the Europa League qualifier in Norway. When I play right back it is sort of a mix between holding midfielder and centre back, but you do not cover the exact same areas as the central-defensive midfielder, nor do you only have the same quick interplay as a centre back. The mixture of the two works well for me.
DFB.de: Things are going well for you at the moment, despite your first year at Dortmund not having been easy. Joachim Löw has selected you in the national squad to face Poland and Scotland. What personal goals do you have as you join the Germany team?
Ginter: Initially I was very excited, but I tried not to let the thought of playing for the national team affect me ahead of the Hertha Berlin game. I wanted to focus and concentrate on the Bundesliga, but I am obviously delighted to be called up to the national team.
DFB.de: Mr Ginter, we are three games into the Bundesliga, but Dortmund have played eight competitive fixtures and won them all. What does this mean for the rest of the season?
Ginter: All it means is that we have started the season well. It wasn’t such a clear victory against Hertha, but it could have been. We have fun playing football and as a team we are very good. We know that, and that’s why we are on top at the moment.
DFB.de: You have started this season better than most would have expected you to after last season. Is that fair?
Ginter: I would say that having also qualified for the Europa League, we are on better form than the rest. We are standing in good stead in the early stages of the season. Now, we need to keep this standard of football up. I am confident and in high spirits. We have a large squad, which is ideal considering the amount games we will have to play between now and Christmas.
