Ochs: “The European U19 Championship is an absolute dream.”

The Germany U19 squad this year has a host of players who have had a taste of Bundesliga action, including Benjamin Henrichs, Arianit Ferati and Leandro Putaro, even if it has only been in short bursts. The biggest jump in recent weeks has been made by 18-year-old attacking talent Philipp Ochs for 1899 Hoffenheim, who has become a fixture in Julian Nagelsmann’s starting XI.

Strangely not as a midfielder or striker as you would have expected, instead he has been selected at left-back. The Hoffenheim man spoke to DFB.de’s Peter Scheffler about how the change in position came about and what he expects from the European U19 Championship.

DFB.de: Mr Ochs, in recent weeks you have been changed from a striker into a full-back at Hoffenheim.

Philipp Ochs: Our former coach Huub Stevens was the first one to trial the idea in training. Julian Nagelsmann then took this idea on and played me there for the first time in the Bundesliga against Bremen. I only heard that I would be playing there shortly before the game in the changing room.

DFB.de: How was it?

Ochs: It’s hard to describe it in words. I had been given a few short appearances before that but it is something totally different to start a Bundesliga match and to walk out with the team before kick-off.

DFB.de: Was changing from attack to defence an unusual thing for you?

Ochs: Of course. I have played as a striker or midfielder my whole life but in modern football you have to attack as a full-back as well, at least at Hoffenheim that is the case. That’s why I can still offer the team a lot going forwards. Defensively I still have things to learn but it’s going quite well.

DFB.de: It certainly is. You have played in five out of the last seven games and started three of them. What is the biggest difference between the two positions?

Ochs: When you play as an attacker, you are always trying to find space, create chances and score goals. However, in defence you have to be aware of what the opponents are attempting in order to make it hard for them to implement the above points. I think I can learn a lot playing at left back that will help my offensive game.

DFB.de: Is there a particular player who has taken you under their wing?

Ochs: U21 international Niklas Süle has really supported me. He talks to me a lot during training and matches. It feels good to have him in my corner.

DFB.de: Julian Nagelsmann knows you from the youth set-up. Do you feel like you are in good hands with him in charge?

Ochs: Mr Nagelsmann coached me in the U16s and U19s, when we became German A-league junior champions. We both know each other really well and he has always encouraged me.

DFB.de: At 28-years-old he is quite a young coach. What kind of a coach is he?

Ochs: Our coach is really confident and does everything to win. What marks him out as a coach is that he has a detailed plan for every game that the team will follow until the end.

DFB.de: There has also been a coach change for the U19s. Marcus Sorg has moved up to the first team and Guido Streichsbier has taken over. How did the team find out the news?

Ochs: First of all, good luck to Marcus Sorg. We are happy for him and hope that he enjoys a lot of success. He has gone where all of the players hope to end up eventually. With Guido Streichsbier we are becoming reacquainted with an old friend. He worked with us at U18 level and knows us really well. Neither the team or the coach needs time to adjust so we can focus on the next task straight away.

DFB.de: What do you already know about your next opponent, South Korea?

Ochs: We haven’t done any analysis of our opponents yet. That is something that we do the day before a match. I think we are facing a very active and combative team. Kim Jin-su, who I know from TSG is a typical Korean player. He always give 100 percent and runs until he drops.

DFB.de: The season highlight, the UEFA European U19 Championship, is coming up in the summer. What are your aims?

Ochs: The European U19 Championship is an absolute dream for us. I get goosebumps just thinking about playing at home in front of our fans in a European competition…

DFB.de: …and to reach the final that will be played in Hoffenheim and be a part of the starting XI?

Ochs: That is the side’s aim and my own personal one as well. Hopefully there will be a lot of friends and family in the stands.

DFB.de: What does the team have to do to develop further?

Ochs: Every member of the squad hast o put even more effort in and make sure that they are at their fittest. It will take a lot of energy to play in a European tournament after the end of the season. However, our clubs and coaches will be supporting us all the way. We are a tight knit group and hopefully the European Championship will only bring us closer.