Wellenreuther: Between Marvin Schwäbe, Daniel Mesenhöler and myself there is a three way race for the number one spot. That is what Carsten Eisenmenger told me on the phone when he extended the invitation to me. I definitely want to play and will give my all in every training session.
DFB.de: I would assume the same for your competitors as well?
Wellenreuther: I would hope so. It means that we can push ourselves to the limit. Even though we are fighting for one spot, we are still nice and always respectful to one another.
DFB.de: Let’s take a look back at your spectacular season. After you started off in the Regionalliga, you made your debut at Bayern München on February 4.
Wellenreuther: Correct. I still remember it like it was yesterday. At the end of the first halve it was 1-1 and Fabian Giefer just got injured and I was under the impression that he would carry on. Before the start of the second halve, all the players came out of the dressing room except Fabian. The coach then said to me that I am replacing him. It was crazy, the stuff that was running through my head.
DFB.de: What happened after?
Wellenreuther: As I was putting on my shin pads I noticed that I was shaking because I was so nervous. It kept going all the way until the referee blew the whistle for the second halve. From there on, it was really fun as I made a couple of amazing saves and kept a clean sheet. It was a fantastic experience.
DFB.de: Not too long afterwards your next big game took place against Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.
It was an absolute rollercoaster ride of a season for Timon Wellenreuther. He started in the Regionalliga West with the second team of Schalke, and then the 19-year-old ended up in the Round of 16 for the Royal Blues against Real Madrid. He was both praised and criticised this year, but now he has replaced Michael Zetterer for the U20 squad heading to New Zealand. DFB.de correspondent Peter Scheffler sat down with Wellenreuther as the two discussed about his selection in the team, and if he was expecting to start in the line-up.
DFB.de: Mr. Wellenreuther, you recently replaced the injured Michael Zetterer for the U20 World Cup in New Zealand. How did you find out about it?
Timon Wellenreuther: Our U20 goalkeepers coach Carsten Eisenmenger called me last Friday and asked if I could sub in for Michael. I quickly asked the staff at Schalke 04 if this was ok. Then, I cancelled my holiday plans and met up with the squad in Frankfurt.
DFB.de: How did you feel at that moment?
Wellenreuther: Of course it is always unfortunate to replace a good colleague. I just want to take the time to wish Michael all the best and a speedy recovery. Besides that, I was so happy. Going to New Zealand, and playing in a U20 World Cup is a dream of mine since I was a kid and is definitely better than vacation. (Laughing) Every player knows that it is an honour to be here. You can present yourself to the whole world. Paul Pogba, Sergio Agüero, Lionel Messi, and Diego Maradona were all picked as the player of the tournament and it jump started their careers.
DFB.de: Regarding stars, the Germany team took the 2014 World Cup by storm with their great team play. Can we see something similar from the U20’s?
Wellenreuther: Definitely. We understand each other very well and often tell stories about our experiences so far. I am very excited to see Kevin Akpoguma and Robert Bauer, two team mates back from my days at KSC.
DFB.de: How do your chances look like to protect the Germany goal at the U20 World Cup?
Wellenreuther: Between Marvin Schwäbe, Daniel Mesenhöler and myself there is a three way race for the number one spot. That is what Carsten Eisenmenger told me on the phone when he extended the invitation to me. I definitely want to play and will give my all in every training session.
DFB.de: I would assume the same for your competitors as well?
Wellenreuther: I would hope so. It means that we can push ourselves to the limit. Even though we are fighting for one spot, we are still nice and always respectful to one another.
DFB.de: Let’s take a look back at your spectacular season. After you started off in the Regionalliga, you made your debut at Bayern München on February 4.
Wellenreuther: Correct. I still remember it like it was yesterday. At the end of the first halve it was 1-1 and Fabian Giefer just got injured and I was under the impression that he would carry on. Before the start of the second halve, all the players came out of the dressing room except Fabian. The coach then said to me that I am replacing him. It was crazy, the stuff that was running through my head.
DFB.de: What happened after?
Wellenreuther: As I was putting on my shin pads I noticed that I was shaking because I was so nervous. It kept going all the way until the referee blew the whistle for the second halve. From there on, it was really fun as I made a couple of amazing saves and kept a clean sheet. It was a fantastic experience.
DFB.de: Not too long afterwards your next big game took place against Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.
Wellenreuther: I also played a good game and got the best rating from our team. In the upcoming weeks there were some more Bundesliga games, like when we played the derby against Dortmund. That was easily the craziest five to six weeks of my life.
DFB.de: It is common for young goalkeepers to make the odd mistake every now and then. At first you were applauded for your work, and then you were criticised.
Wellenreuther: That was brutal. I saw how fast it can go. Against Real I was a goal keeping prodigy, then a couple days afterwards I was the scapegoat. I needed to learn how to deal with it all. It took me a couple of days to process what was going on. In only a couple of weeks I endured what most keepers endure in a year. As a result, I learned a couple of things.
DFB.de: On the pitch you are very calm; it does not matter if it is after a great save, or a mistake. Are you actually so relaxed?
Wellenreuther: I am a rather quiet guy. Before games I am mainly nervous but that changes once I hear the first whistle. If you think about a team, I think it is important that the goalie is quiet. I need to play my own game, then I can help the team as best as I can.
DFB.de: What ambitions do you hope to achieve with Schalke next season?
Wellenreuther: That is tough to answer. Currently, it is unknown who our coach is going to be for next year. Also, it is unknown if Fabian Giefer will be healthy. I obviously want to play and develop myself further as a player, but currently I am focused on the U20 World Cup.
DFB.de: As a nine-year-old you already wanted to be a footballer. Correct?
Wellenreuther: Correct. I dreamt about this from early on in my childhood. My father, who I annoyed practically for every day, can confirm this. (Laughing) Now my first season is behind me and I am at the U20 World Cup. It is safe to say I am living my dream.
DFB.de: When you were younger you were also at the DFB base in Karlsruhe. Your previous trainer was Damir Dugandzic who is obsessed with your ambition.
Wellenreuther: I always wanted to be the best. It was not that easy when I was a kid because I was born in December and I skipped a full age group. Most players were two years older than I was. This experience prepared me and was very important for the player that I am today.
DFB.de: In 2013 you transferred over from the U19 team of KSC to Schalke, and most recently you guys just clinched U19 Bundesliga title. What does Schalke do that makes their youth teams so strong?
Wellenreuther: The work that takes place in the Schalke “Knappenschmiede” academy is fantastic. Also the work from U19 coach Norbert Elgert is top class. In the last couple of years he has found great talent and has further developed them. Through him we learn more and more so we are ready for a professional career. The same goes for keeper coach Thorsten Albustin and the other staff members.
DFB.de: Were there any problems with your father who is the President of Karlsruhe?
Wellenreuther: No. My family always supported me. It doesn’t matter if it’s my father, mother, grandmother or sister, I have always received full support from my family. They still come to some of the matches when they have the time. They definitely will watch the games in New Zealand on the TV at home.
