It was an incredible assist. Mario Götze passes the ball through to Matthias Ginter who puts in a perfect cross towards Adrian Ramos who heads the ball into goal to put Borussia Dortmund into the lead. In fact, it was the only goal of the match as Borussia Dortmund, with Germany internationals Götze, Ginter, Julian Weigl and André Schürrle, beat Sporting Lisbon to secure early qualification into the last sixteen of the Champions League. The 24-year old spoke to DFB.de in an interview about their win on Wednesday evening, competing with Real Madrid for first place in the Group, his good run of form and Dortmund’s comeback in the Bundesliga.
Interviewer: Mario Götze, congratulations on securing your place in the last sixteen. What does it mean to you and the team to achieve this so early?
Mario Götze: It means a lot to us. Especially when you remember that we have very, very strong opponents in our Champions League group. It’s a big step for us and now we can calm down a little. It was important for us to keep a clean sheet and get the three points. It was no sure-fire success against Sporting, therefore we are really pleased to get the victory and the three points.
Interviewer: The team combined passes well which led to Adrian Ramos scoring the early opener. How did you think the goal came about?
Götze: Our build-up play was very good. Matthias Ginter put in a great cross towards Adrian in the six-yard box who scored an incredible header. We had a few good chances to score in the first half. On the whole, it was a pretty ordinary game.
Interviewer: Borussia really have a good chance of topping the group now after Real Madrid drew 3-3 with Legia Warschau. Are you still going to give it your all in the last two group matches?
Götze: Of course. It’s good for us when our opponents don’t pick up as many points as they are expected to. But in the end, we are concentrating on ourselves. We have ten points so far in the group. But first of all, we have to concentrating on our upcoming Bundesliga fixture in Hamburg on Saturday. We have to win that. Then we can look forward to our next matches.
Interviewer: Borussia Dortmund aren’t in the best run of form in the Bundesliga. How important was the win against Sporting?
It was an incredible assist. Mario Götze passes the ball through to Matthias Ginter who puts in a perfect cross towards Adrian Ramos who heads the ball into goal to put Borussia Dortmund into the lead. In fact, it was the only goal of the match as Borussia Dortmund, with Germany internationals Götze, Ginter, Julian Weigl and André Schürrle, beat Sporting Lisbon to secure early qualification into the last sixteen of the Champions League. The 24-year old spoke to DFB.de in an interview about their win on Wednesday evening, competing with Real Madrid for first place in the Group, his good run of form and Dortmund’s comeback in the Bundesliga.
Interviewer: Mario Götze, congratulations on securing your place in the last sixteen. What does it mean to you and the team to achieve this so early?
Mario Götze: It means a lot to us. Especially when you remember that we have very, very strong opponents in our Champions League group. It’s a big step for us and now we can calm down a little. It was important for us to keep a clean sheet and get the three points. It was no sure-fire success against Sporting, therefore we are really pleased to get the victory and the three points.
Interviewer: The team combined passes well which led to Adrian Ramos scoring the early opener. How did you think the goal came about?
Götze: Our build-up play was very good. Matthias Ginter put in a great cross towards Adrian in the six-yard box who scored an incredible header. We had a few good chances to score in the first half. On the whole, it was a pretty ordinary game.
Interviewer: Borussia really have a good chance of topping the group now after Real Madrid drew 3-3 with Legia Warschau. Are you still going to give it your all in the last two group matches?
Götze: Of course. It’s good for us when our opponents don’t pick up as many points as they are expected to. But in the end, we are concentrating on ourselves. We have ten points so far in the group. But first of all, we have to concentrating on our upcoming Bundesliga fixture in Hamburg on Saturday. We have to win that. Then we can look forward to our next matches.
Interviewer: Borussia Dortmund aren’t in the best run of form in the Bundesliga. How important was the win against Sporting?
Götze: It’s a bit different. We are in a good position in the Champions League with ten points. Not a lot of teams can say this after just four matches. Therefore, we can already be pleased with how we have performed in this tournament. Having said that, we know that we need to improve our situation in the Bundesliga. We have to get the three points in Hamburg.
Interviewer: How would you describe your recent form?
Götze: Things are going well for me. The manager has told me exactly what he wants me to do. I think that it will keep getting better. I am fit and playing well. If I can get forward more and create more chances and goals, then I will be even more pleased with my performances. But I’m on the right track. But like I said, it’s important for us to get the three points on Saturday and I will concentrate on my own areas for improvement later.
Interviewer: Will the team improve now that players like Gonzalo Castro and Raphael Guerreiro are back from long term injury?
Götze: We have a very, very good squad. Of course it’s always nice when everyone is fit and in training. Gonzo and Raphael are both quality players, you can see that on the pitch. I’m looking forward to playing and winning matches with them when they are both fully fit.
Interviewer: People were a bit confused as to why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was left on the bench against Sporting Lisbon as a reason was never given. Did that provoke any unrest amongst the team?
Götze: There was no commotion. I’m not commenting on the situation.
