Group A kicked off their European Under-21 Championship on Friday, Group B followed yesterday. Today, Germany’s U21s begin their quest for glory when Group C gets underway against the Czech Republic (18:00 CEST). A winning start is key for Stefan Kuntz’s team, in order set the tone with direct, quick-tempo football.
The perfect strategy for Maximilian Philipp. During the training camp in Grassau, the attacking ace secured a high-profile move from SC Freiburg to DFB-Pokal winners Borussia Dortmund. A big step for the 23-year-old, who will be hoping to crown the summer with a win at the upcoming European Championship.
In an interview with DFB.de, Maximilian Philipp discusses his strengths, the competition for places in the starting XI against Czech Republic and the key to success in Poland.
DFB: Mr Philipp, the facilities in Grassau have been praised by all the players. Are the conditions here in Poland even better?
Maximilian Philipp: You could argue either way there. In Grassau it was great, and it’s the same here now. We are in the best conditions, can work perfectly and concentrate on ourselves. One advantage of our hotel here in Poland is that we have it all to ourselves. For the next two weeks we will be focusing on our aim, together as a closed-off group.
DFB: Groups A and B have all played their first fixtures. Do you watch those games to get a feel for potential opponents?
Philipp: No, yesterday we trained during the first games so couldn’t have seen anything. We want to concentrate on ourselves, do our own homework and only worry about our next opponent. But the excitement is growing, of course, when you see that the tournament has finally started.
DFB: How are you preparing for your first opponents, the Czech Republic?
Philipp: The coaching staff have analysed their strengths and weaknesses with us, and also always brought our attention to certain situations in training. Generally though, we want to concentrate on our own strengths and bring these to the pitch right from the off, so the opponents have to adapt to us.
DFB: Many people think the third and final group stage game against Italy could be a final to decide the group winners. How do you see it?
Philipp: We and Italy are certainly among the favourites for the tournament – you just have to look at the individual players on each team to see that. However, first we have to pass our tests against the Czech Republic and Denmark. That’ll be tough enough because both teams are deservedly amongst the twelve best U21s teams in Europe. What’s important, above all, is a win in the first game, so we can be confident heading into the following matches.
DFB: What are your chances of featuring in the starting XI today?
Philipp: I feel good and would obviously like to play and help the team. The coach decides who plays from the start though. The quality is so high that everyone has a chance of being in the starting XI, therefore there’s a lot of motivation in training – we’re all pushing one another.
DFB: What position would you prefer to play if you could choose?
Philipp: I feel at my best in the centre behind the striker. I always played there at Freiburg and I’m able to use my strengths best there. However, I’m versatile in attack and play where the coach puts me.
DFB: How would you describe your strengths?
Philipp: I’m technically good and always want to use my pace. I also look to get my shots away quickly. I’m not a fancy player, but rather I just want to put the ball in the back of the net without much fuss.
DFB: Do you have a footballing role model?
Philipp: When I was younger, Wesley Sneijder was always my role model. A real number ten, technically accomplished, two-footed and a great shooter.
DFB: The Germany U21s’ 35 goals in qualifying was the most of any nation. How will you carry this momentum into the tournament with you?
Philipp: Of course, we obviously want to play offensively and quickly up front – we have the speed in our team to do that. However, we all know that defending is important for a team that wants to be successful. And, as we know as well, defending starts from the front. Concentrated defending will be one of the keys to a good tournament.
DFB: And what else is key?
Philipp: Togetherness. That’ll be a decisive factor. We’re a cool bunch of lads. We have fun but also work hard. I imagine that’s also how it was with the senior team at the 2014 World Cup. There, everyone worked for the team, the team as a unit was the showpiece. With this mentality, a concentrated defence and our attack, we want to write our own history.
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Group A kicked off their European Under-21 Championship on Friday, Group B followed yesterday. Today, Germany’s U21s begin their quest for glory when Group C gets underway against the Czech Republic (18:00 CEST). A winning start is key for Stefan Kuntz’s team, in order set the tone with direct, quick-tempo football.
The perfect strategy for Maximilian Philipp. During the training camp in Grassau, the attacking ace secured a high-profile move from SC Freiburg to DFB-Pokal winners Borussia Dortmund. A big step for the 23-year-old, who will be hoping to crown the summer with a win at the upcoming European Championship.
In an interview with DFB.de, Maximilian Philipp discusses his strengths, the competition for places in the starting XI against Czech Republic and the key to success in Poland.
DFB: Mr Philipp, the facilities in Grassau have been praised by all the players. Are the conditions here in Poland even better?
Maximilian Philipp: You could argue either way there. In Grassau it was great, and it’s the same here now. We are in the best conditions, can work perfectly and concentrate on ourselves. One advantage of our hotel here in Poland is that we have it all to ourselves. For the next two weeks we will be focusing on our aim, together as a closed-off group.
DFB: Groups A and B have all played their first fixtures. Do you watch those games to get a feel for potential opponents?
Philipp: No, yesterday we trained during the first games so couldn’t have seen anything. We want to concentrate on ourselves, do our own homework and only worry about our next opponent. But the excitement is growing, of course, when you see that the tournament has finally started.
DFB: How are you preparing for your first opponents, the Czech Republic?
Philipp: The coaching staff have analysed their strengths and weaknesses with us, and also always brought our attention to certain situations in training. Generally though, we want to concentrate on our own strengths and bring these to the pitch right from the off, so the opponents have to adapt to us.
DFB: Many people think the third and final group stage game against Italy could be a final to decide the group winners. How do you see it?
Philipp: We and Italy are certainly among the favourites for the tournament – you just have to look at the individual players on each team to see that. However, first we have to pass our tests against the Czech Republic and Denmark. That’ll be tough enough because both teams are deservedly amongst the twelve best U21s teams in Europe. What’s important, above all, is a win in the first game, so we can be confident heading into the following matches.
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DFB: What are your chances of featuring in the starting XI today?
Philipp: I feel good and would obviously like to play and help the team. The coach decides who plays from the start though. The quality is so high that everyone has a chance of being in the starting XI, therefore there’s a lot of motivation in training – we’re all pushing one another.
DFB: What position would you prefer to play if you could choose?
Philipp: I feel at my best in the centre behind the striker. I always played there at Freiburg and I’m able to use my strengths best there. However, I’m versatile in attack and play where the coach puts me.
DFB: How would you describe your strengths?
Philipp: I’m technically good and always want to use my pace. I also look to get my shots away quickly. I’m not a fancy player, but rather I just want to put the ball in the back of the net without much fuss.
DFB: Do you have a footballing role model?
Philipp: When I was younger, Wesley Sneijder was always my role model. A real number ten, technically accomplished, two-footed and a great shooter.
DFB: The Germany U21s’ 35 goals in qualifying was the most of any nation. How will you carry this momentum into the tournament with you?
Philipp: Of course, we obviously want to play offensively and quickly up front – we have the speed in our team to do that. However, we all know that defending is important for a team that wants to be successful. And, as we know as well, defending starts from the front. Concentrated defending will be one of the keys to a good tournament.
DFB: And what else is key?
Philipp: Togetherness. That’ll be a decisive factor. We’re a cool bunch of lads. We have fun but also work hard. I imagine that’s also how it was with the senior team at the 2014 World Cup. There, everyone worked for the team, the team as a unit was the showpiece. With this mentality, a concentrated defence and our attack, we want to write our own history.
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