Kevin Volland: "I´m not 100 percent fit yet"

Kevin, what can you take from the game against Leverkusen in the coming weeks?

Kevin Volland:  We played really well for 40 minutes, but that just isn’t enough in the Bundesliga. We need to deliver for the full 90 minutes, so there’s work that needs doing. There were definitely a few too many mistakes, especially our final passes. But the first half also showed that we’re on the right track.

You played in central midfield again against Bayer. Is that a big adjustment for you?

Volland: It is a different position, yes. I’ve spent two years playing on the right wing for TSG, but it’s nothing completely new to me – I played a few times for the U21s national team. 

Could you tell us the main differences from playing out wide?

Volland:  On the wing you can get the ball squared to you and have just one defender ahead of you, who you can then try and take on, that doesn’t happen at centre-mid. It’s tighter there, but it’s not as though we stay strictly in the centre. We have the freedom to find space. Whether space opens up out wide or through the middle depends on each passage of play.

How would you assess your personal start to the season?

Volland:  The first two games were not as I’d imagined. On the back of the Euros and the short pre-season I’m not 100 percent fit yet. I see that myself. But I’m improving in training, my energy is coming back. There’s no reason for me to be annoyed with myself. I’m working hard and I’ll get back to where I want to be.

On Saturday it’s our first home game of the season. That is a special occasion, isn’t it?

Volland:  Of course – the first competitive game back in front of our home fans. So we want to give them something back in return for their terrific support in the last two games in Munich and Leverkusen. We need a bit more time to work on our new squad, but we will put in good performances for the fans. 

The opposition aren’t bad though, are they? Bayern are coming to town...

Volland:  And they’re one of the best teams in Europe. We want to cause an upset, but as always against Bayern, that’s going to be very, very difficult. We need a lucky day, and need to give everything if we want to take anything from the game.

Which Bayern player impresses you the most?

Volland: Bayern only have good players. For me, Jerome Boateng is outstanding – he’s the best centre back in the world, with an enormous presence and he’s incredible on the ball. Douglas Costa’s influence since moving to Munich has also been exceptional.

How should the record champions be approached?

Volland:  We can’t sit back. Otherwise it’ll just be a matter of time before they score. We have to play offensive and be brave, and we have to attack them. Bayern aren’t used to this, as not many teams do this against them. And that is definitely one of our strengths. But this is obviously a risky approach. They’re good enough to tear apart any team in Europe. Like I said, it’ll be very difficult.

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