Resolute against Ronaldo: Boateng (left)
Boateng (left): "We need to find another gear"
Any full-back would agree that keeping a clean sheet, neutralising the threat posed by World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and regularly joining in his side’s attacking thrusts would count as a decent afternoon’s work. It is an even better display if the full-back happens to be a centre-half by trade, so Jerome Boateng has rightly been praised for a convincing performance as a makeshift right-back in Germany's 4–0 victory over Portugal in their opening match at the World Cup.
The spotlight will be trained even more closely on Boateng this Saturday when Germany contest their second group match against Ghana (live on ARD from 9 pm CET). The stage is set for the second instalment in an all-Boateng clash after Jerome went head-to-head with his half-brother Kevin-Prince when the teams last met at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. DFB.de reporter Steffen Lüdeke exclusively interviewed Jerome Boateng, asking him about the Saturday’s game, his Ghanaian roots and the community projects he supports.
DFB.de: Jerome, do you know where Per Mertesacker played when he made his Bundesliga debut?
Jerome Boateng: From the way you’ve asked the question I'm guessing it was at right-back.
DFB.de: Spot on. Should we let it slip to the coach that your defensive partner actually has experience in the position?
Boateng: I would imagine the coach already knows. But I can't believe Per is a realistic alternative for the right flank.
DFB.de: You're probably right: let’s be kind and describe his performance as average. It certainly had a bearing on his future, as no coach has ever entertained the idea of playing him anywhere else but at centre-back since then. Do you occasionally wish you were a worse right-back than you are?
Boateng: Not in the slightest. Whatever position I'm selected to play, I’ll always give my best for the team. I’ve talked it through with the coach and we’ve clarified everything. In the current situation I can help the team more if I play on the right, and the team always takes priority. Football is a team sport and success as a team is the only thing that counts.
DFB.de: You turned in a convincing display against Portugal.
Boateng: Thanks.
DFB.de: You won't exactly have played yourself out of the position.
Boateng: That was never my intention. As I said, the point is always to do your best for the team.
DFB.de: Seven million people in Germany play organised football under the auspices of the DFB. You're one of 11 who made it to a starting berth in the national team. Are you still proud of that, or does the feeling fade as you clock up more appearances? You've already earned 40 caps.
Boateng: It still makes me proud, that's a fact. I've worked very hard for it and I’ve been lucky on a few occasions. But I'm filled with pride over and over again whenever I’m asked to represent my country. That's not changed since my first match, and it’ll never change.
DFB.de: Germany have only played once at the World Cup in Brazil so far, but world champions Spain are already out of the tournament. How surprised are you about that?
Boateng: Very surprised. I had them among the favourites and they still have an extremely good team. The example of Spain shows how quickly it can all happen at a tournament. They were obviously drawn in a difficult group, but I don't think anyone thought they'd already be out after only two games. We found out for ourselves how good Chile are, but Spain would normally be even better.
DFB.de: Are you impressed by the quality of the play so far? And apart from Spain's exit, has anything else taken you by surprise?
Boateng: Maybe that the pace is so high despite the temperatures. There’s been a relatively high number of goals too. I'm delighted for the fans because they're seeing thrilling football. It's been a very interesting tournament so far, and we've also seen more teams than usual come from behind and win. In the build-up everyone thought it would be difficult for teams to get back into it after falling behind due to the high temperatures. So I've really enjoyed the tournament so far and I'm sure there are plenty more good games to come.
DFB.de: We’re counting down to the meeting with Ghana, so naturally we have to ask you about your half-brother Kevin-Prince. A few days ago you said you’re not keeping in touch with each other at the moment, because both of you are fully focused on the football. Back in Germany you contact each other almost every day. Are you not missing that?
Boateng: It's certainly not the normal state of affairs, but I'm not missing it that badly. At the end of the day the World Cup is a special situation. I don't think it would be quite right if we were permanently exchanging messages. I'm here with the Germany national team and my duty is to concentrate fully on that.
DFB.de: You've not yet managed to visit Ghana, your father's country of birth. How important is it to you personally to go there one day?
Boateng: Very important, and I'm genuinely sorry it's not worked out yet. Most of our family still live there. I'm interested in what life’s like and I want to see the conditions the people live in. I know from family members that they all watch my matches and root for me all the way.
DFB.de: Do you have any idea what happens in your Ghanaian family when Ghana play Germany?
Boateng: A little bit, because my father's told me about it. Whenever Ghana play it's like a holiday across the nation. And in my family it's the same when Germany play. The whole family comes together and enjoy themselves.
DFB.de: Your father says he can't lose when Germany play Ghana. Does the whole family think that way?
Boateng: Most of them probably do. After all there’s a family member on either side, although that obviously means it'll always be a downer for one side. We can't both win.
DFB.de: Germany has been gripped by euphoria after the impressive 4–0 victory over Portugal, but you must have been less than pleased with a couple of situations.
Boateng: We restricted Portugal to just one really good chance, but there were other situations in the match which could have led to more openings. It was because we lost our shape, gaps opened up between the lines, and we didn't move properly as a unit. Fortunately Portugal never really took full advantage, but we can't just rely on other opponents doing the same. We need to be even better organised and focused against Ghana.
DFB.de: What's your assessment of the Black Stars?
[bild2]Boateng: They’re strong, especially up front. Almost all of them play in Europe. There are some big names and skilful players among them. Every Ghana player is good on the ball, and plenty are capable of magic moments as they have very good individuals. The key thing for us is another solid team performance. If we manage that I think we have a good chance of a positive result.
DFB.de: Is there a danger that Germany might lose concentration in the wake of a convincing start? Is complacency a concern? Could you start thinking 90 percent might be enough?
Boateng: It's always a danger. But we have to resist, because we can’t afford to slip even one percent. We've won nothing yet. We want to pick up where we left off against Portugal… more than that actually: we want to shift up a gear.
DFB.de: Your Berlin-based social project Mitternachtssport (Midnight Sport) has won a number of awards. You clearly have a real insight into people's needs. Have you picked up at all on the social conditions here in Brazil?
Boateng: This is a country of huge contrasts. A lot of folk here are doing badly in material terms. A lot of things we take for granted are an unimaginable luxury for people here. But you see laughter and smiles on faces wherever you go. The mood is really upbeat here in Brazil, just like it was at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
DFB.de: You also run a project jointly with UNESCO here in Rio by the name of "Living a Dream". Can you tell us a bit more about that?
Boateng: Here in football-mad Brazil, we wanted to lend a hand within football. The dream of playing professionally is even more tempting here than in many other parts of the world. The kids idolise Neymar, and have lots of role models who they try and emulate. Unfortunately that's often exploited, especially when it comes to kids with a degree of talent. Agents simply spot the chance of a quick buck, and don't necessarily act for the good of the child. This is where we intervene. We've constructed a football pitch, and we've trained coaches and pay them. Most important of all, we've established a school. The kids learn to read and write, and we give them an education to help them build a better future.
DFB.de: You’ve not only contributed funds yourself, you've encouraged German schoolkids to give their creative talent free rein and organise and initiate fundraising campaigns for the kids in Brazil. Has there been a good response?
Boateng: I'm really, really pleased. We've already raised a fair amount in this way. I'm thrilled by the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the German kids on behalf of the kids in Brazil. Just before the World Cup I visited a school in Munich to discuss the project with the kids there, and I immediately sensed the pupils were serious about helping and showed great interest in the subject.
DFB.de: The project is based in a Favela in Rio, where Germany could yet play twice. Are you planning on visiting the project in person?
Boateng: There's nothing planned, and I don't know if it would be possible from a logistical point of view. But I'd be delighted if we can make it happen, although obviously I'm here to play football. That's my priority and I'm not going to do anything which might distract me. And another thing: we've not made it to Rio yet.
DFB.de: You recently acquired a new tattoo. There’s now a Champions League ball on your right elbow, and the reason is obvious: you won Europe's elite club competition with Bayern. Do you still have space for…
Boateng: …the World Cup trophy?
DFB.de: Indeed.
Boateng: Yes I do (points to his left elbow). I don't want to talk too much about the trophy at this early stage. But we won't come up short for lack of space on my body. (laughs)