It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah. Having just won a domestic double with his club, he had scarcely a moment to take it all in before jumping into preparations for this summer’s European Championships. After Germany made it two wins from two against Hungary on Wednesday, attentions now turn to their third and final group game against Switzerland on Sunday. Ahead of that match, DFB.de sat down for a chat with the 28-year-old, where he spoke about his experience of the tournament so far and his aims for the remainder of the competition.
DFB.de: Jonathan, you’ve had plenty to celebrate in recent weeks – you won a league and cup double with Bayer Leverkusen. What did you make of the atmosphere in Stuttgart for the national team’s 2-0 win over Hungary on Wednesday?
Jonathan Tah: The atmosphere is top-class! Not just at the matches, but even before that at our public training sessions, you could tell that we’re building something here again. It’s not just that we’re celebrating together – we earn our success together, too.
DFB.de: The enthusiasm for the tournament is clear not just in the stadiums, but also out on the streets and in the fan parks. There were lots of people outside the hotel in Stuttgart, and some of the fans walked to the stadium in a large fans’ procession. Do you see that sort of thing as a team?
Tah: Yeah, we’re aware of it. We see it ourselves, we get videos on our phones from friends and family. It pushes us on when we’re reminded that everyone is behind us.
DFB.de: The fans were also signing “Berlin, Berlin, we’re going to Berlin” in Stuttgart – a chant you’re probably more than familiar with after your season at club level. Is it still too early to dream of the final?
Tah: Of course everyone should be allowed to dream. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to make it happen. We’ve still got some tough games ahead of us before Berlin. But as we’ve said from the start, that’s what we’re playing for.
DFB.de: You and Joshua Kimmich celebrating a Manuel Neuer save is already one of the tournament’s most iconic photos. What were you thinking at that moment?
Tah: It was another outstanding save from Manu. The emotions just flooded out of me. You need those sorts of moments as a player and as a team. You can’t take it for granted that everything will work itself out. But just as we get upset about mistakes, it’s important to celebrate our positive moments. That was one of them.
DFB.de: The game against Switzerland on Sunday will decide who finishes top of the group. You’ll be up against Granit Xhaka, who you’ve enjoyed great success with in a Leverkusen shirt this season. Have you been in touch with him ahead of the game?
Tah: We’d already exchanged a few words about it during the season, and we had brief contact here at the start of the tournament. Now we’re looking forward to meeting for the game. I’m anticipating a very, very good game at a high level – and hopefully another win for our fans.
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It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah. Having just won a domestic double with his club, he had scarcely a moment to take it all in before jumping into preparations for this summer’s European Championships. After Germany made it two wins from two against Hungary on Wednesday, attentions now turn to their third and final group game against Switzerland on Sunday. Ahead of that match, DFB.de sat down for a chat with the 28-year-old, where he spoke about his experience of the tournament so far and his aims for the remainder of the competition.
DFB.de: Jonathan, you’ve had plenty to celebrate in recent weeks – you won a league and cup double with Bayer Leverkusen. What did you make of the atmosphere in Stuttgart for the national team’s 2-0 win over Hungary on Wednesday?
Jonathan Tah: The atmosphere is top-class! Not just at the matches, but even before that at our public training sessions, you could tell that we’re building something here again. It’s not just that we’re celebrating together – we earn our success together, too.
DFB.de: The enthusiasm for the tournament is clear not just in the stadiums, but also out on the streets and in the fan parks. There were lots of people outside the hotel in Stuttgart, and some of the fans walked to the stadium in a large fans’ procession. Do you see that sort of thing as a team?
Tah: Yeah, we’re aware of it. We see it ourselves, we get videos on our phones from friends and family. It pushes us on when we’re reminded that everyone is behind us.
DFB.de: The fans were also signing “Berlin, Berlin, we’re going to Berlin” in Stuttgart – a chant you’re probably more than familiar with after your season at club level. Is it still too early to dream of the final?
Tah: Of course everyone should be allowed to dream. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to make it happen. We’ve still got some tough games ahead of us before Berlin. But as we’ve said from the start, that’s what we’re playing for.
DFB.de: You and Joshua Kimmich celebrating a Manuel Neuer save is already one of the tournament’s most iconic photos. What were you thinking at that moment?
Tah: It was another outstanding save from Manu. The emotions just flooded out of me. You need those sorts of moments as a player and as a team. You can’t take it for granted that everything will work itself out. But just as we get upset about mistakes, it’s important to celebrate our positive moments. That was one of them.
DFB.de: The game against Switzerland on Sunday will decide who finishes top of the group. You’ll be up against Granit Xhaka, who you’ve enjoyed great success with in a Leverkusen shirt this season. Have you been in touch with him ahead of the game?
Tah: We’d already exchanged a few words about it during the season, and we had brief contact here at the start of the tournament. Now we’re looking forward to meeting for the game. I’m anticipating a very, very good game at a high level – and hopefully another win for our fans.
