The Germany U21s won their second game in their European Championships qualification campaign, beating Azerbaijan 6-0. One man stood out in a stellar team performance at the Friendship Stadium in Cottbus, Philipp Ochs. The Hoffenheim striker scored twice on his debut for the U21s. DFB.de spoke to the 20-year-old after the game.
DFB.de: “Mr Ochs, it was your first game for the U21s and you scored two goals. Is that how you imagined your debut would go?”
Philipp Ochs: “It couldn’t have gone any better. If someone had told me before the game that I’d score twice on my debut, I would’ve bitten their hand off. It was an indescribable evening – not only for me but for the whole team.”
DFB.de: “You have now represented your country in every age group from U15 through to U21. What does your debut in Stefan Kuntz’s team mean to you?”
Ochs: “I was very happy when the coach called me up and said to me that I’d be in the squad. It was even better when he then told me that I was going to start the game. I am extremely motivated and I am happy that I can contribute to the team’s success.”
DFB.de: “The German team looked much more dynamic and free-flowing than in the first European qualifier against Kosovo (1-0). Had you specifically tried to work on improving that aspect of your game?”
Ochs: “Yeah, we did exactly that. We spoke about that game a lot during training in the week. We wanted to attack with more urgency, make incisive runs, defend with a high line and have good interplay between the two strikers – we did that all very well and we can be satisfied with our performance.”
DFB.de: “You can play in lots of different positions, for instance today you played on the wing, but you can also play as a wing-back or up front. Where’s your favourite position to play?
Ochs: “I feel most comfortable up front because I can score more goals from that sort of position. But I will play wherever the coach puts me. Versatility gives you a big advantage.”
DFB.de: “The next match is the European qualifier on Tuesday in Norway. What sort of game are you expecting there?”
Ochs: “That will be a completely different game against a more attacking opponent. It will also be on a different surface because we’re playing on Astroturf. I can’t remember the last time I played on Astroturf. But we will train on the surface and get used to it. We’re excited for the next challenge."
Interview carried out by DFB.de
created by mmc/dr
The Germany U21s won their second game in their European Championships qualification campaign, beating Azerbaijan 6-0. One man stood out in a stellar team performance at the Friendship Stadium in Cottbus, Philipp Ochs. The Hoffenheim striker scored twice on his debut for the U21s. DFB.de spoke to the 20-year-old after the game.
DFB.de: “Mr Ochs, it was your first game for the U21s and you scored two goals. Is that how you imagined your debut would go?”
Philipp Ochs: “It couldn’t have gone any better. If someone had told me before the game that I’d score twice on my debut, I would’ve bitten their hand off. It was an indescribable evening – not only for me but for the whole team.”
DFB.de: “You have now represented your country in every age group from U15 through to U21. What does your debut in Stefan Kuntz’s team mean to you?”
Ochs: “I was very happy when the coach called me up and said to me that I’d be in the squad. It was even better when he then told me that I was going to start the game. I am extremely motivated and I am happy that I can contribute to the team’s success.”
DFB.de: “The German team looked much more dynamic and free-flowing than in the first European qualifier against Kosovo (1-0). Had you specifically tried to work on improving that aspect of your game?”
Ochs: “Yeah, we did exactly that. We spoke about that game a lot during training in the week. We wanted to attack with more urgency, make incisive runs, defend with a high line and have good interplay between the two strikers – we did that all very well and we can be satisfied with our performance.”
DFB.de: “You can play in lots of different positions, for instance today you played on the wing, but you can also play as a wing-back or up front. Where’s your favourite position to play?
Ochs: “I feel most comfortable up front because I can score more goals from that sort of position. But I will play wherever the coach puts me. Versatility gives you a big advantage.”
DFB.de: “The next match is the European qualifier on Tuesday in Norway. What sort of game are you expecting there?”
Ochs: “That will be a completely different game against a more attacking opponent. It will also be on a different surface because we’re playing on Astroturf. I can’t remember the last time I played on Astroturf. But we will train on the surface and get used to it. We’re excited for the next challenge."
Interview carried out by DFB.de
