Bellarabi: “A lot can happen- I’m the best example of that”

There wasn’t a massive upheaval after the World Cup for the world champions but things keep ticking over. New faces emerged and new players have put themselves in the limelight. One of those players that has had the biggest influence is Karim Bellarabi. The 24-year-old has impressed in his four games for Germany thus far with his dribbling ability, just as he does for his club week in week out.

Yesterday Bundesliga, today German cup, tomorrow Champions League. Bayer Leverkusen and Karim Bellarabi don’t have much time on their hands as they have midweek games almost every week. And that’s no different this week. Leverkusen’s next game comes on Tuesday as they come up against 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the last 16 of the DFB Cup. Ahead of the game, Karim Bellarabi spoke to DFB.de about his rapid rise to the top, the fun of football and memories of Kaiserslautern.

DFB.de: Mr Bellarabi, the season is really heating up now and you have a game every three days. Do you feel the stress and pressure or are you enjoying playing football?

Karim Bellarabi: Obviously it’s quite stressful. But we’re all here to play football! Champions League, Bundesliga, DFB Cup- there’s nothing better. It’s also good when you can recuperate between the games. I’m happy that I don’t have to wait a whole week until the next game.

DFB.de: Can you play too much football?

Bellarabi: To be honest, I’ve not felt like that yet. Maybe you look at things differently if you- like I was- are out injured for a long time. You look forward to every game.

DFB.de: You’ll be playing in the last 16 of the DFB cup on Tuesday. What importance does the competition have for you?

Bellarabi: The DFB cup is a crucial tournament for us this season. We want to go far and obviously it would be amazing to reach the final in Berlin.

DFB.de: You’ll come up against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Do you have positive memories of playing against them? You made your comeback after almost a year out following your pubic bone injury against Kaiserslautern.

Bellarabi: Friendlies don’t always live long in the memory but when you haven’t played for so long then it’s a different feeling. I have very good memories.

DFB.de: That marked the beginning of your unbelievable rise to the top. You went to Braunschweig, then back to Leverkusen and now you’re in the DFB-Team. How did you react to all of that?

Bellarabi: I have learnt not to look too far ahead into the future as a lot can happen- I’m the best example of that.

DFB.de: You said that you’re injury helped you to have a more positive outlook. Would you not have become a Germany international if you hadn’t become injured?

Bellarabi: I don’t know, it’s hard to say. I believe that I would have found the mindset to make the most of my opportunities even if I hadn’t been injured. But maybe the problems that I had helped me. When you want to do things but can’t because you’re injured then you become more cautious with your body. I do a lot to keep fit and healthy.

DFB.de: You had a good debut for Germany but the team still lost 2-0 to Poland. Could you describe your mood: Were you more proud of your debut and your performance or more annoyed that you lost the game?

Bellarabi: I think that every player is well prepared for their debut. Everyone wants to make a good impression. My performance was okay. The team’s success was more important. It was an important game in Poland that we wanted to win. Therefore, no one was happy, including me.

DFB.de: Players are picked for their country depending on their performances for their club. You have played in every Bundesliga and Champions League game so far this season. You have had the most shots and scored the most goals at Leverkusen. Are you surprised with your level of consistency?

Bellarabi: I don’t think about it too much. I only try to play my game and prepare perfectly for every game.

DFB.de: The numbers looked quite different during your first time with Bayer 04, which was also partly down to your injury. You played 18 times and scored three goals over two seasons. Was there a reason behind that looking back?

Bellarabi: We’ve already spoken about my injury. You also mustn’t forget that I was relatively young then and I wasn’t as robust. It would have been bad if I hadn’t gone on to develop. I used that as motivation and try to learn from it.

DFB.de: Bayer 04 are the clear favourites for the game in the DFB Cup. Leverkusen also played FCK in the last 16 of the cup last season. You were on loan at Braunschweig at the time. Did you still follow Leverkusen’s games?

Bellarabi: I always follow Bayer 04’s games. I know everyone at the club: players, the manager and the staff. You celebrate even when you aren’t at the club.

DFB.de: Did you also feel part of the defeat?

Bellarabi: I empathised with the guys. I wasn’t happy that they’d been knocked out but maybe we can do that this year.

DFB.de: Was the moral of the game not to underestimate anyone?

Bellarabi: You should never do that in the cup and we know that.

DFB.de: What do you expect from 1. FCK?

Bellarabi: As I said, we won’t underestimate Kaiserslautern. FCK aren’t a second division side for me. They have the potential and a good chance to get promoted to the Bundesliga. They’re a dangerous side and we’re wary of that.

DFB.de: Have you thought about the final in Berlin? You were born there so would being in the final be something special for you?

Bellarabi: No, I haven’t thought about it. We’re thinking about Kaiserslautern and then hopefully two more opponents. Then I’ll start to think about Berlin.