During the 3-0 win over Austria in Baden-Württemburg, Jannes Horn of VfL Wolfsburg made his tournament debut. With three assists, he played a big part in his side’s victory and helped to ensure that the Germany U19s will take part in the 2017 U20s World Cup playoff against the Netherlands in Sandhausen on Thursday evening (19:00 CEST, live on Eurosport).
In an interview with DFB.de the 19-year-old talks about his strong performance and the upcoming challenge against their neighbours. He also tells us which targets he is chasing at Wolfsburg and who he looks to for tips on taking free-kicks.
DFB.de: Mr. Horn, the next game for you and your team is all or nothing. Are you ready?
Jannes Horn: Of course. It will be a very similar match, but under different circumstances. Before the match against Austria, we had lost twice and we were a bit unsettled, especially as our dream of winning the EUROs on home turf was no longer possible. Since the victory we are feeling a lot better. We have put ourselves in a position where we have the chance to win a playoff, and we can definitely build on that performance.
DFB.de: Is there enough confidence in the squad to be able to win an all or nothing match?
Horn: Yes, definitely. We were superior in our victory over Austria. Now our complete focus is on the game against the Netherlands. We really want to be at the U20s World Cup next year in South Korea and say farewell to the fans with a good performance.
DFB.de: Talking of the fans, their support throughout the tournament has been extraordinary. With the 3-0 victory behind you, do you go into the game against the Netherlands as favourites?
Horn: It can definitely work in our favour, especially because they won their first game and then followed that up with two defeats. But we shouldn’t rely on that, because it won’t make any difference on the pitch.
DFB.de: Hansi Flick and Guido Streichsbier always emphasise the importance of taking part in a European Championship for players. How have you profited from this experience?
Horn: It is a very different experience to play at the EUROs, compared to playing for your club. The organisation, the standard of football, the number of fans – everything is bigger and better than most people realise. The expectations are also higher. To deal with and step up to the big occasion is really good for our careers. The clubs will also reap the rewards of this.
DFB.de: Plus it is a home EUROs...
Horn: We talked about this a lot within the team before the tournament, and we were really looking forward to it. Not many players get the chance to play in such a big competition on home soil. The fans’ support has been exceptional and we have really enjoyed playing in front of such great crowds. It’s a shame that there is only one game left.
DFB.de: How did you assess your team’s performance against Austria on Sunday evening?
Horn: In the first half, both teams had an equal share of the play. The game was relatively balanced, without any big chances for either side. Luck was on our side and we managed to get two goals in the first ten minutes of the second half. After that, the match was in our control and we were able to make it 3-0 by the end.
DFB.de: You got all three assists. A perfect match?
Horn: No, it took me a bit of time to get into the game in the first half. However, it was my first appearance at the EUROs. I played well defensively but going in at half time there was room for improvement in terms of my attacking play.
DFB.de: You must have really lifted it at half-time then?
Horn: For sure. (laughs) I was very happy with the half-time break. I really got myself involved in the match, both on and off the ball. Of course, I was also quite lucky that my teammates made the most of the balls I played into them. I have never got three assists in an international match before.
DFB.de: Two of these were free-kicks. Do you usually practise these quite intensively in training?
Horn: Yes, at Wolfsburg I train individually. At the club I take the free-kicks and so I have a lot of experience. It’s great that all this hard work has now paid off for the national team.
DFB.de: Do you have a role model at Wolfsburg, who you look up to in terms of their technique?
Horn: Yes, Ricardo Rodriguez and Marcel Schäfer have both got an incredible technique, so I sometimes look to them.
DFB.de: Both play in your position at left-back, so you have two big obstacles ahead of you in the team.
Horn: That’s absolutely right. However, I hope that I can play my way into contention and get some time on the pitch in the coming season. After the EUROs, I am travelling straight to the training camp. There I will work really hard, just like at this tournament.
DFB.de: Back to the matter at hand, what do you know about your next opponents the Netherlands?
Horn: they operate a 4-3-3 system just like all Dutch national sides, with quick players on the wing and a physical and robust striker. I have also read that three of their players took part in the U19s EUROs last year, and so they already have a lot of tournament experience at their disposal. I know a couple of players from my games in the Youth League against Eindhoven.
DFB.de: Does the youth team have any big rivalries like the first team?
Horn: No. It is obviously a big game because there is so much at stake, and we share a border with the Netherlands. Therefore, it will be a hotly-contested game, but there is nothing more than that involved.
created by mmc/mb
During the 3-0 win over Austria in Baden-Württemburg, Jannes Horn of VfL Wolfsburg made his tournament debut. With three assists, he played a big part in his side’s victory and helped to ensure that the Germany U19s will take part in the 2017 U20s World Cup playoff against the Netherlands in Sandhausen on Thursday evening (19:00 CEST, live on Eurosport).
In an interview with DFB.de the 19-year-old talks about his strong performance and the upcoming challenge against their neighbours. He also tells us which targets he is chasing at Wolfsburg and who he looks to for tips on taking free-kicks.
DFB.de: Mr. Horn, the next game for you and your team is all or nothing. Are you ready?
Jannes Horn: Of course. It will be a very similar match, but under different circumstances. Before the match against Austria, we had lost twice and we were a bit unsettled, especially as our dream of winning the EUROs on home turf was no longer possible. Since the victory we are feeling a lot better. We have put ourselves in a position where we have the chance to win a playoff, and we can definitely build on that performance.
DFB.de: Is there enough confidence in the squad to be able to win an all or nothing match?
Horn: Yes, definitely. We were superior in our victory over Austria. Now our complete focus is on the game against the Netherlands. We really want to be at the U20s World Cup next year in South Korea and say farewell to the fans with a good performance.
DFB.de: Talking of the fans, their support throughout the tournament has been extraordinary. With the 3-0 victory behind you, do you go into the game against the Netherlands as favourites?
Horn: It can definitely work in our favour, especially because they won their first game and then followed that up with two defeats. But we shouldn’t rely on that, because it won’t make any difference on the pitch.
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DFB.de: Hansi Flick and Guido Streichsbier always emphasise the importance of taking part in a European Championship for players. How have you profited from this experience?
Horn: It is a very different experience to play at the EUROs, compared to playing for your club. The organisation, the standard of football, the number of fans – everything is bigger and better than most people realise. The expectations are also higher. To deal with and step up to the big occasion is really good for our careers. The clubs will also reap the rewards of this.
DFB.de: Plus it is a home EUROs...
Horn: We talked about this a lot within the team before the tournament, and we were really looking forward to it. Not many players get the chance to play in such a big competition on home soil. The fans’ support has been exceptional and we have really enjoyed playing in front of such great crowds. It’s a shame that there is only one game left.
DFB.de: How did you assess your team’s performance against Austria on Sunday evening?
Horn: In the first half, both teams had an equal share of the play. The game was relatively balanced, without any big chances for either side. Luck was on our side and we managed to get two goals in the first ten minutes of the second half. After that, the match was in our control and we were able to make it 3-0 by the end.
DFB.de: You got all three assists. A perfect match?
Horn: No, it took me a bit of time to get into the game in the first half. However, it was my first appearance at the EUROs. I played well defensively but going in at half time there was room for improvement in terms of my attacking play.
DFB.de: You must have really lifted it at half-time then?
Horn: For sure. (laughs) I was very happy with the half-time break. I really got myself involved in the match, both on and off the ball. Of course, I was also quite lucky that my teammates made the most of the balls I played into them. I have never got three assists in an international match before.
DFB.de: Two of these were free-kicks. Do you usually practise these quite intensively in training?
Horn: Yes, at Wolfsburg I train individually. At the club I take the free-kicks and so I have a lot of experience. It’s great that all this hard work has now paid off for the national team.
DFB.de: Do you have a role model at Wolfsburg, who you look up to in terms of their technique?
Horn: Yes, Ricardo Rodriguez and Marcel Schäfer have both got an incredible technique, so I sometimes look to them.
DFB.de: Both play in your position at left-back, so you have two big obstacles ahead of you in the team.
Horn: That’s absolutely right. However, I hope that I can play my way into contention and get some time on the pitch in the coming season. After the EUROs, I am travelling straight to the training camp. There I will work really hard, just like at this tournament.
DFB.de: Back to the matter at hand, what do you know about your next opponents the Netherlands?
Horn: they operate a 4-3-3 system just like all Dutch national sides, with quick players on the wing and a physical and robust striker. I have also read that three of their players took part in the U19s EUROs last year, and so they already have a lot of tournament experience at their disposal. I know a couple of players from my games in the Youth League against Eindhoven.
DFB.de: Does the youth team have any big rivalries like the first team?
Horn: No. It is obviously a big game because there is so much at stake, and we share a border with the Netherlands. Therefore, it will be a hotly-contested game, but there is nothing more than that involved.
