SPIELFELD
04/20/2020

Baumgartner: "We're looking upwards"

Christoph Baumgartner has broken into the TSG Hoffenheim first team this season, contributing goals and assists in what has been a breakthrough campaign. The 20-year-old Austrian, who has been in Sinsheim since 2017, spoke to SPIELFELD magazine about the current suspension of the Bundesliga, the postponement of the European Championship by one year, and his personal development.

Christoph, the Bundesliga's on a break; the suspension was announced on Friday 13 March. You were due to play against Hertha BSC the following day. How did you react to the cancellation?

"Of course, the ideal scenario for me would be to continue playing as normal – every weekend and in front of spectators. But that's not possible for the time being. And it's not about what we want anyway; it is about what is most beneficial for the health of the population. As professional athletes, we have a responsibility; we are role models. Society looks up to football. That is why, in my opinion, there was and is no option other than to call it off and take a break. Even if it's as bad for us players as it is for the fans."

Do you talk about all this within the team?

"We speak about it; you cannot filter out the events you see on television or social networks. At our age, it is rather unlikely that the virus would have a serious impact on our health, but we obviously all try to protect ourselves in the best way possible because we can pose a danger to older people if we become infected. At the moment, it's very important for our generation to be aware of this. And naturally we also speak about how football will move forward and how every individual is dealing with the situation – professionally and personally."

A continuation will only be possible behind closed doors. Did you watch the only game to have taken place in an empty stadium – between Gladbach and Cologne – on TV?

"That's not the football that we all want to see, but it's probably the only possibility we have to end the season. That's why  if the time comes  we need to be prepared and accept the new situation. After all, it's certainly much better than not playing any more."

The European Championship this summer has already been postponed. Which competition is your priority?

"We players are also noticing the economic impact that the current situation is having on the clubs. With that in mind, I believe that the most important thing is to finish the season. For us players too, it is important that we return to a normal schedule next season. For the participants and the fans, the European Championship would have been a wonderful thing and an incredible experience, but playing it next year instead is a very good decision."

"The European Championship is one of my big objectives"

You're personally affected – because you were already on standby for the senior national team and you've recently been on EURO-worthy form for TSG...

"It's gone very well for me over the past few months. So you could say I was in the required form. The European Championship was and still is one of my big objectives. Even though I have not yet made a senior international appearance, it was within the realms of possibility that I would be involved. But now I have an extra year to prove myself and to play myself into contention."

Four goals and three assists in 17 matches this season is an impressive Bundesliga return for a 20-year-old. Did you believe back in summer 2019 that you would develop this way?

"I believed that I could develop like this, because I noticed towards the end of last season that I could compete at this level. But part of the reason that things were going so well was because the coach and the club as a whole really believed in me. That allowed me to find my rhythm and I developed the necessary self-confidence; that's obviously very important, especially for an attacking player. But naturally I wasn't expecting it back in the summer."

"The coach really believes in me"

How important has coach Alfred Schreuder been in your development?

"He places a lot of trust in me, gives me a lot of playing time and helps me off the pitch too with by holding talks and giving feedback. I know that he values my way of playing football. That's obviously a real help to me and he has been a very important factor in things going so well for me."

You've played in several positions, most recently as a playmaker. Where do you feel most comfortable?

"An offensive role in the centre is definitely my favourite position. I've felt very comfortable there with TSG recently, but I don't believe that my performances have been dependent on my position. I've had one or two good performances playing on the flanks as well. I feel comfortable in attacking positions and I don't believe I'll be a classic defensive midfield in three years' time – although you can never rule it out."

One strength of yours that has surprised a lot of onlookers is your heading ability. You're not a particularly tall player, so have you specifically worked on this?

"I scored a lot of headed goals at youth level and so it hasn't been especially surprising for me to score headed goals. I can jump well and I have very good timing, so I'm able to get the better of taller players in the air. We used to have a trampoline at home; my brother and I would spend many hours on that. And my physical education teacher was an apparatus gymnast; she used to place a real emphasis on jumping. I can also do a somersault, but against a 2-metre-tall giant I obviously have almost no chance in an aerial battle. But I always try to go into these challenges with a lot of tempo and with my whole body. That works very well."

How you do you assess the season to date, given that you're two points off the European places?

"At one stage this season, we had an extremely good spell in which we were consistently picking up points. We're in a good position in the table and we're still involved in the fight for Europe too. Everyone was aware it wouldn't be the easiest season for us after all the changes. But I believe we're dealing with it relatively well and, if it continues, that we'll get the points we need to secure an international spot."

However long this break ends up lasting, the season will be in a critical phase when it resumes. Will the teams be starting from scratch following this exceptional disruption? There won't be any friendly matches or information about the opposition this time. What lies in store for you?

"If every individual deals with that phase as professionally as possible and prepares as well as possible, then we won't be starting from scratch. If the season gets going again, we need to be mentally ready as well as physically fit, and to recognise the opportunities open to us in the closing stages of this season. There's no danger of relegation, so we'll be looking upwards and going for it."

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