For the U21 team, preparations are already underway for the last two European qualifiers of the year. The team came together in Frankfurt on Monday, and had their first training session straight away. After another training session this morning, the team set off for Baku, where they will be playing Azerbaijan on Thursday. The German U21s will also face Israel next Tuesday as they continue on their road to the U21 European championships in Italy and San Marino. In this interview, Nadiem Amiri speaks about the qualifying campaign, and the changes since the title win in Poland last summer.
DFB: Nadiem Amiri, after missing the last U21 games in October through injury, you’re now back with the squad. What are you expecting from the upcoming games?
Nadiem Amiri: I’m very happy to be back in the squad. There is always a special atmosphere, and not just since winning the championship in the summer. Now we want to close out the year with two victories, in order to achieve our goal of European qualification. We have already beaten Azerbaijan at home (6-1) , and we want to play with the same enthusiasm when we face them again.
DFB: The most recent qualifier ended in a 1-3 loss to Norway. What happened there?
Amiri: The team actually played well, and took the lead; but we then lost our way a bit. We know we can’t be letting that happen. And the coach has reiterated that we need to change things if we want to be winning the away games in Azerbaijan and Israel.
DFB: You mentioned a “special atmosphere” in the U21 squad. Could you just explain that for us?
Amiri: Unlike at our clubs, here we’re all the same age. We’ve known each other for a long time, as we’ve played with each other at younger national levels. So we’ve shared a lot of experiences. One particularly special experience, with Mo Dahoud, Thilo Kehrer and the rest of the guys, was of course winning the European champs in the summer. Now, with the new age group, we want to find our feet, and start building towards the next target.
DFB: Can you compare the current team to the team that won the championship in Poland?
For the U21 team, preparations are already underway for the last two European qualifiers of the year. The team came together in Frankfurt on Monday, and had their first training session straight away. After another training session this morning, the team set off for Baku, where they will be playing Azerbaijan on Thursday. The German U21s will also face Israel next Tuesday as they continue on their road to the U21 European championships in Italy and San Marino. In this interview, Nadiem Amiri speaks about the qualifying campaign, and the changes since the title win in Poland last summer.
DFB: Nadiem Amiri, after missing the last U21 games in October through injury, you’re now back with the squad. What are you expecting from the upcoming games?
Nadiem Amiri: I’m very happy to be back in the squad. There is always a special atmosphere, and not just since winning the championship in the summer. Now we want to close out the year with two victories, in order to achieve our goal of European qualification. We have already beaten Azerbaijan at home (6-1) , and we want to play with the same enthusiasm when we face them again.
DFB: The most recent qualifier ended in a 1-3 loss to Norway. What happened there?
Amiri: The team actually played well, and took the lead; but we then lost our way a bit. We know we can’t be letting that happen. And the coach has reiterated that we need to change things if we want to be winning the away games in Azerbaijan and Israel.
DFB: You mentioned a “special atmosphere” in the U21 squad. Could you just explain that for us?
Amiri: Unlike at our clubs, here we’re all the same age. We’ve known each other for a long time, as we’ve played with each other at younger national levels. So we’ve shared a lot of experiences. One particularly special experience, with Mo Dahoud, Thilo Kehrer and the rest of the guys, was of course winning the European champs in the summer. Now, with the new age group, we want to find our feet, and start building towards the next target.
DFB: Can you compare the current team to the team that won the championship in Poland?
Amiri: No, we need to find ourselves and find our way of playing. After the Euros, there was a break, and many new players have since come in. Compared to the first games in September, we have improved a lot as a team; that is clear to see in training. Former U21 teams have been in the exact same position we are in now. We want to work and improve, and to qualify for the next championship, so that we can face the best players in the world in our age group.
DFB: With 13 appearances for the U21s, you are one of the most experienced players; in the Bundesliga you’re in 5th place with Hoffenheim; and you have made nine Bundesliga appearances, and two Europa League appearances this season. Are you happy with how your season has gone so far?
Amiri: Overall, I am satisfied, but it could always be a bit better. With my club, I need to keep upping my performances, in order to nail down my place in the starting XI, both in the Bundesliga and the Europa League. And with the U21s, I want to lead the way as one of the more experienced players, and one who is already familiar with the team’s philosophy.
