The roars began to ring around the Signal Iduna Park once again. Even though Borussia Dortmund were already 4-0 up against 1. FC Köln in the Bundesliga match on Sunday evening, a big cheer went up in the stands as the clock ticked on to 66 minutes. On the sideline, Borussia’s number 33 was getting ready to come on. German international Julian Weigl was making his return to the football stage four months after suffering an ankle fracture against Augsburg. After the game, the 22-year-old gave DFB.de an insight into his life whilst recovering from the injury.
DFB.de: Mr Weigl, you made your comeback after four months out, how was it?
Julian Weigl: It was brilliant, I couldn’t have imagined it going any better. The boys had already put in a lot of effort by the time I came on so the game wasn’t on a knife edge. That made it easier for me when I came on. I had a great time being back on the pitch and it’s that feeling of playing that makes you work that bit harder in your recovery.
DFB.de: It was your first serious injury, your first long period of being out. How did you deal with that?
Weigl: I am quite a positive person and I always tried to take the positives from the situation. But there were days where I didn’t want to see anyone and I just wanted to stay at home.
DFB.de: During your absence, Borussia veteran Nuri Sahin was impressive in your position. What do you think will happen now?
Weigl: First of all, I’m happy to be back in the squad and to have been used as a substitute. Nuri and I are different types of players and perhaps the coach will decide based on the opponent who we are facing.
DFB.de: Is it a disadvantage to you that you missed the whole of pre-season with the squad?
Weigl: I don’t know. The good thing was that I went to almost all of the team meetings. I didn’t go with the squad to Asia but when they trained in Dortmund, we timed my recovery sessions so that I could be a part of the team discussions. So I have already seen what the new head coach expects of us.
DFB.de: What assured you that now was the right time to come back?
Weigl: A week ago, I played 45 minutes for the second team in the Regionalliga against SV Rödingshausen and I got a knock to my right ankle. But it didn’t hurt at all. That was a relief, because it made me realise: My ankle has healed.
[mmc/dr]
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The roars began to ring around the Signal Iduna Park once again. Even though Borussia Dortmund were already 4-0 up against 1. FC Köln in the Bundesliga match on Sunday evening, a big cheer went up in the stands as the clock ticked on to 66 minutes. On the sideline, Borussia’s number 33 was getting ready to come on. German international Julian Weigl was making his return to the football stage four months after suffering an ankle fracture against Augsburg. After the game, the 22-year-old gave DFB.de an insight into his life whilst recovering from the injury.
DFB.de: Mr Weigl, you made your comeback after four months out, how was it?
Julian Weigl: It was brilliant, I couldn’t have imagined it going any better. The boys had already put in a lot of effort by the time I came on so the game wasn’t on a knife edge. That made it easier for me when I came on. I had a great time being back on the pitch and it’s that feeling of playing that makes you work that bit harder in your recovery.
DFB.de: It was your first serious injury, your first long period of being out. How did you deal with that?
Weigl: I am quite a positive person and I always tried to take the positives from the situation. But there were days where I didn’t want to see anyone and I just wanted to stay at home.
DFB.de: During your absence, Borussia veteran Nuri Sahin was impressive in your position. What do you think will happen now?
Weigl: First of all, I’m happy to be back in the squad and to have been used as a substitute. Nuri and I are different types of players and perhaps the coach will decide based on the opponent who we are facing.
DFB.de: Is it a disadvantage to you that you missed the whole of pre-season with the squad?
Weigl: I don’t know. The good thing was that I went to almost all of the team meetings. I didn’t go with the squad to Asia but when they trained in Dortmund, we timed my recovery sessions so that I could be a part of the team discussions. So I have already seen what the new head coach expects of us.
DFB.de: What assured you that now was the right time to come back?
Weigl: A week ago, I played 45 minutes for the second team in the Regionalliga against SV Rödingshausen and I got a knock to my right ankle. But it didn’t hurt at all. That was a relief, because it made me realise: My ankle has healed.
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