From faux pas to favourites, déjà vu to dream teams, DFB.de is asking each member of Die Mannschaft to take part in a special EURO 2016 interview. In honour of the hosts, there’s a French flavour to all the questions. Up next, it’s Bernd Leno.
DÉJÀ-VU Do you remember your first visit to France?
Yes. I previously played football in France with a side from Baden-Württemberg. Back then we played in Paris against a French team.
RIEN NE VA PLUS What do you do in the final minutes and seconds before the game begins?
I go into my own zone. I’m always relatively calm and try to focus on the game. I try to not be influenced by external factors; I’m completely in the zone.
AU REVOIR How difficult is it to say goodbye to your family and friends before tournaments?
It’s obviously not a nice feeling when you know that you won’t see your family or friends for a long time. But you get used to it. I left home at a relatively young age so it doesn’t bother me too much. Anyways, you’re here with the team and are well distracted during the European Championship.
CHAPEAU Which of your teammates have particularly impressed you?
There are lots but, first and foremost, Manuel Neuer. His style of play and how he’s interpreted the goalkeeper’s role is very impressive. You can also see how he implements that in training. He is the best goalkeeper in the world and that’s been the case for years. I try to pick up some pointers from him. But there are still other players who I must name. Mesut Özil, Jérôme Boateng, Toni Kroos. We have lots of players here who are unbelievably skillful.
HOMMAGE Which French players have you always admired?
I always found Karim Benzema very good. From their current squad, there are some - Antoine Griezmann, Blaise Matuidi, for example - against whom I’ve previously played. As a goalkeeper, I used to always particularly admire and respect Fabien Barthez. Zinédine Zidane ranks above everyone though.
FAUX PAS What’s something embarrassing that’s happened to you but not too embarrassing that you can’t share?
Fortunately, nothing has happened here so far at the European Championship. Nine months ago in the Bundesliga, I wanted to clear the ball away but it went into the net. Obviously that wasn’t a good experience but now I can look back on it and laugh.
created by mmc/kr
From faux pas to favourites, déjà vu to dream teams, DFB.de is asking each member of Die Mannschaft to take part in a special EURO 2016 interview. In honour of the hosts, there’s a French flavour to all the questions. Up next, it’s Bernd Leno.
DÉJÀ-VU Do you remember your first visit to France?
Yes. I previously played football in France with a side from Baden-Württemberg. Back then we played in Paris against a French team.
RIEN NE VA PLUS What do you do in the final minutes and seconds before the game begins?
I go into my own zone. I’m always relatively calm and try to focus on the game. I try to not be influenced by external factors; I’m completely in the zone.
AU REVOIR How difficult is it to say goodbye to your family and friends before tournaments?
It’s obviously not a nice feeling when you know that you won’t see your family or friends for a long time. But you get used to it. I left home at a relatively young age so it doesn’t bother me too much. Anyways, you’re here with the team and are well distracted during the European Championship.
CHAPEAU Which of your teammates have particularly impressed you?
There are lots but, first and foremost, Manuel Neuer. His style of play and how he’s interpreted the goalkeeper’s role is very impressive. You can also see how he implements that in training. He is the best goalkeeper in the world and that’s been the case for years. I try to pick up some pointers from him. But there are still other players who I must name. Mesut Özil, Jérôme Boateng, Toni Kroos. We have lots of players here who are unbelievably skillful.
HOMMAGE Which French players have you always admired?
I always found Karim Benzema very good. From their current squad, there are some - Antoine Griezmann, Blaise Matuidi, for example - against whom I’ve previously played. As a goalkeeper, I used to always particularly admire and respect Fabien Barthez. Zinédine Zidane ranks above everyone though.
FAUX PAS What’s something embarrassing that’s happened to you but not too embarrassing that you can’t share?
Fortunately, nothing has happened here so far at the European Championship. Nine months ago in the Bundesliga, I wanted to clear the ball away but it went into the net. Obviously that wasn’t a good experience but now I can look back on it and laugh.
