Mustafi: "Zidane is simply a legend"

From faux pas to favourites, déjà vu to dream teams, DFB.de is asking each member of Die Mannschaft to preview EURO 2016. In honour of the hosts, there’s a French flavour to all the questions. First up, it‘s Shkodran Mustafi.

RENDEZ-VOUS Which team do you want to meet in the course of the tournament?

I would really like to play against Belgium. It’s a small country that has managed to develop some great talents and has proved itself on the international stage. Belgium are unbelievably strong and it’s no coincidence that they’re top of the world ranking.

DÉJÀ-VUDo you remember your first visit to France?

I’ve been to France on a few previous occasions. Two years ago, for example, I was in Paris with some friends to celebrate the New Year.

RIEN NE VA PLUS What do you do in the final minutes and seconds before the game begins?

I think through the game in my head. What could be expected of me? What are my tasks? Where do I stand when the forward is running at me? When do I play the offside trap? You have hardly any time to decide between the options during a game. So it’s good if you have already internalised ideas and can call upon them quickly.

AU REVOIR How difficult is it to say goodbye to your family and friends before tournaments?

We’re accustomed to going away from home. It’s almost part of our everyday life. Therefore, I don’t find it particularly difficult. However, I would of course prefer my parents and family to be closer to me.

OH, LÀ, LÀ Which EURO 2016 teams play particularly good football? Apart from Germany obviously…

I’ve not seen all 24 teams so I can’t give a definitive answer. England and France would probably be up there though. They’ve both improved, especially England. They won all ten games in qualifying and averaged more than three goals per match. That’s impressive.

CHAPEAU Which of your teammates have impressed you at the training camp in Ascona and here in Évian?

You can’t single out an individual player from the group. There are lots within our squad in almost every position and they shine in different ways. That’s what makes us strong – one player has outstanding technique, another is extremely intelligent and reads the game incredibly well, somebody else is tough and strong in the tackle.

HOMMAGE Which French players have you always admired?

For me, Zidane is simply a legend. There are many other great names though – Platini, Henry, Tigana. But the greatest of them all was Zidane. He was just awesome.

FAUX PAS What’s something embarrassing that’s happened to you but not too embarrassing that you can’t share?

Something truly terrible happened to me: I lost in billiards to Thomas Müller. And that’s the worst thing that can happen.

CRÈME DE LA CRÈME Who do you consider favourites to win the European Championship? Apart from Germany obviously...

There are no longer any favourites. The circle gets bigger from tournament to tournament. Almost all teams can do one thing very well: defend. Basically, all of the teams are able to make life difficult. This is because they can then also counter. There aren’t any teams that you can beat at half strength.