SPIELFELD
11/14/2017

Dennis Geiger: "Not in my wildest dreams"

Dennis Geiger is having quite the season. After making his first-team debut in the DFB Pokal against Erfurt, he soon made his Bundesliga debut as well in TSG’s season opener against Werder Bremen. In the same week, he was then in the starting XI that faced Liverpool at Anfield. Just a few games into the season, Geiger enjoyed victory over record champions Bayern Munich. In an interview with SPIELFELD, the 19-year-old, who has played for TSG since the under-12s, talked about his development, his breakthrough into professional football and the decision to move back in with his parents.

You made your debut against Werder Bremen, then you played against Liverpool at Anfield, featured in TSG’s win over Bayern Munich and scored your first goal in your fifth Bundesliga appearance. Lots of experiences over your first few weeks as a professional footballer...

Dennis Geiger: "It all went so unbelievably fast. My first Bundesliga appearance was a milestone for me, an unforgettable feeling. Then the game against Liverpool quickly followed. Everything came thick and fast. Despite the defeat it was a real highlight for me, so was the win against Bayern - a win against lots of my childhood idols. My goal against Schalke soon after was another dream come true. These are exciting times for me, both on and off the pitch, and I’m really enjoying it. Every minute I play is something special and I’m just pleased that the manager and the club have given me this opportunity."

What was the best moment for you over the last few weeks? 

Geiger: "That’s difficult to say. In terms of atmosphere and uniqueness it was the game in Liverpool. I had goosebumps for the entire 90 minutes: the atmosphere was unbelievable; it can’t be compared to anything - even though I’ve not played so many games yet. After losing the game though I had mixed emotions. I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad, but in the end gratitude for having been given the chance to play outweighed everything. I thought at the time that this might be the biggest game in my career for a long time."

But it’s not every day you beat Bayern Munich either...

Geiger: "In German football there is nothing bigger than beating Bayern. I didn’t manage to swap shirts with someone as a souvenir though - and none of the Bayern players asked me either. That didn’t surprise me too much though (laughs)."

Were you really nervous in these games? 

Geiger: "I thought beforehand that I would be more relaxed. I just made sure not to start the game with two misplaced passes. I don’t worry too much though when it comes to football. I told myself: ‘Dennis, do what you always do.’ That worked well. Ahead of the Liverpool game, Julian did the right thing and only told me before the warm-up that I’d be playing. That left no time for being nervous."

Last season you already started training with the first team, but never made it onto the pitch. Would you have ever thought the next season would start the way it did for you? 

Geiger: "I came straight from the U19 European Championship into preseason training and felt fit. I wanted to make that count and put in top performances in the friendlies. After the last friendly I had a feeling I was coming close. Being started against Bremen on the opening day of the season did surprise me a lot though. The way it’s gone since then I wouldn’t have envisaged in my wildest dreams." 

Around one year ago you told SPIELFELD that you have a lot of work to do, particularly physically, to catch up to Bundesliga players...

Geiger: "I still have a lot of work to do in that department, but I have definitely developed. That year training with the first team helped me make real progress in keeping up with the pace of the game and showing strength in the tackle. I need to improve in all areas. That won’t happen overnight, but I am working on it and it’s going well.

Do you feel a great sense of relief that your move up from the reserves into the first-team has gone well? Especially for smaller players, many experts often have their reservations.

Geiger: “Yeah definitely. It’s been a topic all the way through as I’ve got older. It has always been the question for me and for everyone – can he do what he has done in the youth teams in the Bundesliga, can he make the step up physically? But it seems like I can (laughs). It has surprised me though how well I’ve settled in.”

Have the more experienced players looked after you?

Geiger: “Last season, Kerem Demirbay was the guy who helped me loads, particularly on a personal level. I spoke to him a lot and he always said to me: “You have to always believe in yourself and work hard and your chance will come. You have to give your all, be aggressive in training and show how good you are.” I also get on really well with Nadiem Amiri, Philipp Ochs and the other players who have come through the academy. It’s perfect for me here.”

Have there been moments that you have been impatient, because you haven’t been getting game time?

Geiger: “No because I knew that the year would hold me in good stead and that the training is really good for me.”

Sebastian Rudy’s position is now free after his transfer to Munich. Is it your target to fill that gap in the long term?

Geiger: “It is a big gap which Sebastian has left behind. You can’t make a like-for-like swap in that gap. No one is expecting that from me either. Sebastian is a role model for me – he isn’t a giant or a physical specimen. Despite that he can run games and he wins loads of tackles. The unbelievable intelligence, the technique and the low number of mistakes – he is definitely a player who I like to model myself on. It was really good for me to be able to train with him for a year; I learnt a lot from him. All the coaches always said to be: “Watch how he goes about certain situations and how he moves across the pitch.” I did that and it helped me a lot.”

Have you had to change your game in comparison to when you were in the youth teams?

Geiger: “I haven’t changed my style of play at all. But I run a lot more than I used to. I was never lazy but I didn’t run as much as I do now. And the aggressiveness in the game wasn’t as necessary in my youth days as it is now. I have to be aggressive in midfield in the Bundesliga, in order to make up for my physical deficiencies, if you will.”

And what is your personal life like outside of football? Have you noticed changes in your private life?

Geiger: “I’m recognised a lot more. But I’m not doing my hair after every training session just because lots of people want to take selfies with me. I am just extremely happy. And my family are of course proud of me. But my dad always says to me that I should never think that I have fulfilled all of my ambitions because of the previous games. I have to say my dad has been really important for me and my career. From when I arrived at TSG at the U12s to the U15s, my parents always took me to training. After that there was a TSG shuttle service. Since day one, my father has never missed one of my games, he is always there. I take on board all of his criticisms even though he didn’t play at that high a level in his career. He was a brilliant footballer but his ambitions weren’t that great. He was the opposite to me in that regard I guess (laughs).

Be honest – did your parents’ advice ever get on your nerves?

Geiger: “Initially, I would get frustrated at times as I rarely was given praise and instead it was mainly criticism I faced. However, as I got older, I began to understand that it was actually with my best interests at heart. Everyone just wants me to perform to the best of my ability and I’m grateful to my father for instilling my work ethic within me.”

You have played for the national team from U15 level and have played 34 games in the Germany youth set-up until now so there’s always been a view that you will make your way through the ranks up to the first team. Are there times when you feel under pressure to fulfil what is expected of you given how much faith your parents have in you?

Geiger: “I think you have to rid yourself of such thoughts. You put yourself under enough pressure as it is as you want to perform on the Bundesliga stage. That’s been my main goal since childhood. The fact that I make my parents proud is a bonus and a great feeling nonetheless.”
You’re living back at home and have made unbelievable progress this season.
Geiger: “I had been living in the Hoffenheimer Internat with the other academy players but, this year, I moved back home with my parents in Mosbach. It works for me as I’m able to drive now. It couldn’t be better for me right now as I have everything I need at home and always have someone to talk to. My parents play a big role in where I am today.”

No other player has joined TSG so early and become part of the first team. You’re a role model for all those wishing to follow the same journey through the youth team as you have.

Geiger: “When I joined TSG from SV Alemannia Sattelbach, Hoffenheim was my only option and it was the best possible decision I could have made. Here I know all the staff and they have seen me grow and play against teams such as Liverpool in the Champions League qualifiers. It’s special to have come through the ranks here and I hope there are many more great experiences yet to be had.

 

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