Ilkay Gündogan: "It's given me a boost for the coming weeks"

Making your comeback in a game between champions - there are definitely worse games Gündogan could have made return to the side in. The Dortmund man celebrated his return to the national team in the game between world champions Germany and Asian champions Australia. He spoke to DFB.de the day after the match about the game in Kaiserslautern and the important matter of integration.

DFB.de: Mr Gündogan, how happy are you with your comeback?

Ilkay Gündogan: I’m obviously very happy that I worked my way back into the national team after such a long time out. Especially in Kaiserslautern, which is where I played my last game for Germany before my injury. I think that it will give me a boost for the next few weeks.

DFB.de: What are your thoughts on the 2-2 draw with Australia?

Gündogan: It’s positive that we didn’t lose the game. But it’s clear that there is still a long way to go. I wouldn’t assess the game in a negative way. We tried playing with a back three, which isn’t the norm for us and we’ll have to continue to get used to it. I think that we combined well at times. We created great goals and a hand full of other opportunities. We were hoping for a better result than 2-2 but I don’t think it’s too much of a drama.

DFB.de: You went close to opening the scoring after three minutes but your shot went just wide of the right post.

Gündogan: Yes it was very unlucky. What was important was that I got in that position and came close to scoring. It’s an area that I still have to improve on.

DFB.de: Some people say that they go back to the place where they were injured in order to fully get overit. You did something similar to that yesterday…

Gündogan: That’s certainly a nice comparison (he laughs).

DFB.de: Are you now free of all your negative thoughts following the game?

Gündogan: I didn’t have negative thoughts. I already have the feeling that I finished something yesterday. One door has shut and another one has opened for me. I see the game as a step further towards new start for Germany. A new phase has begun and my return should not remain a one-off event. I’m sure that my performances will get better week on week and I will be able to fight my way back into the team. I took the first steps towards doing that yesterday.

DFB.de: What has your time been like with the national team? Similar to August 2011 when you were called up for the first time?

Gündogan: When you arrive for the first time you are always more shy, more reserved and you can’t always play to your full potential on the pitch. I also went through that stage. When I compare it to today then I can see that there is a lot of difference. The national team have gone through some positive moments over the last few years but for me it was something negative. But I want to avoid looking back. It’s a new start for me and thoughts of the past don’t help.

DFB.de: The international break came after a special weekend in the Bundesliga, as teams, as well as the German government, the DFL and the DFB, supported the anti-discrimination "Mach einen Strich durch Vorurteile" [Put an end to prejudice] campaign. As a child of Turkish immigrants, how often have you experienced prejudice?

Gündogan: I’ve actually never had negative experiences. I know, however, that don’t reflect the majority in that sense. Because of my career and the exposure I have as a professional footballer for the national team, people look at me positively, though my career doesn’t actually say anything about Gündogan, the person. I am also lucky in that I am very well integrated because of other factors in my life. I was born in Germany, I grew up here and I speak the language perfectly. Because of that, I’ve never had problems in my social life.

DFB.de: You have said that you’re able to laugh at jokes about foreigners.

Gündogan: Yes, just recently. I was asked the question and I said “yes“, though for me it really depends on the type of joke. Humour is a good medium for integration. I’m also able to laugh at myself. You shouldn’t always take things so seriously. As a footballer, sometimes you have to put up with certain things when you’re in an opposition’s stadium and a lot of it isn’t always said in jest, but I try to just laugh it off and smile.

DFB.de: Are you also able to laugh at German jokes?

Gündogan: Of course, they’re no different.

DFB.de: Do you know any good ones?

Gündogan: No, unfortunately I’m not the best person to speak with about jokes. There are a few of us who know quite a lot though. Thomas Müller, for example, definitely knows a lot of German jokes.

DFB.de: Looking back to the campaign, what sort of effect do you think it can have? Do you think it will influence people?

Gündogan: Yes, otherwise we wouldn’t do it. Football has an unbelievably huge outreach and therefore a big responsibility. The anti-discrimination weekend attracted attention to the issue, which naturally raises awareness among football fans. We are role models, we take a stance, and we offer our opinions. I strongly believe that we will achieve something great with this.

DFB.de: There is the accusation that campaigns like "Mach einen Strich durch Vorurteile" ("Put an end to prejudice") are only done for publicity. Do football organisations in Germany do enough to help fight discrimination and encourage integration?

Gündogan: I really can’t understand why people would make that accusation. It's unknown just how many projects are being implemented by the DFB, DFL and clubs but nobody can deny the sincere motives and effort. People who have complained need to make themselves fully informed on the matter and those aware of all that is being done should stop complaining, especially with regards to the theme of integration and football. People can always do more; however, I do think there comes a point when things can be overused and people pay more attention to the speaker than the actual words being said. I’ll say once again though that I don’t think too little is being done. A key example is that the DFB prize for a successful integration scheme will be awarded this evening which is much more than just a publicity stunt.

DFB.de: This award acknowledges actions in amateur football.

Gündogan: Yes, it’s great because it shows all those involved that their work is noticed, valued and supported.

DFB.de: Looking back at your family history, both your parents immigrated to Germany. Your relatives had to integrate into a foreign community and as someone who grew up in Gelsenkirchen, you’re now at BVB. What was the biggest challenge?

Gündogan: It was clearly more difficult for my parents and my family in general. My grandfather was the first member of our family to come to Germany. He came all on his own 40 years ago, couldn’t speak a word of German and lived in a home with many other Turkish immigrants. There was virtually no communication between him and his German colleagues at work. It must have been a very difficult period for him, before other family members joined him six years later. My uncle, my father’s younger brother, was the first member of our family to be born in Germany. It’s easier for those of us born in Germany because through nursery and school, we have direct access to the language, which is an important tool for successfully integrating. My parents set an example and have always encouraged and supported us. They wanted us to be open and able to become an active member of the community. I can’t thank them enough.

DFB.de: In football teams, integration is a constant theme because there is a high influx of new players every season. Do clubs deliberately organise events or take certain actions to help the newcomers settle in?

Gündogan: It’s very easy to fit in so generally it just happens and people get on with it themselves. However, there are still some events, mainly in pre-season. We always organise team evenings in which the new players have to perform. The majority tend to sing or dance. It’s not easy to begin with; I’ve had to do it myself on more than one occasion. Completing the challenge is an effective way to integrate though because everybody has fun, you laugh, people find it easier to open up and you get talking to others. Aside from that, I always try to make the new players feel that they can contact me at any time and that I'm able to help them when they need it.

DFB.de: Back to football. Tomorrow you fly to Tbilisi with the national team ahead of your Euro 2016 qualifier with Georgia on Sunday. Are you more optimistic or pessimistic looking ahead to the game after the result against Australia?

Gündogan: You can’t really compare the two. Georgia will defend a lot more than Australia did. I’m convinced that they will try to sit back and hit us on the counter. That means that we have to be alert and have to find the gaps. We’ll have to rely on our build-up play going forward and play at a high tempo, which we showed at times against Australia. If we do that then we should come out on top.

DFB.de: Looking ahead to France, are you worried that you might not qualify?

Gündogan: No. We still have everything in our own hands and we still have to play against all the teams around us. We’re not reliant on anyone which is a good feeling.