Playing Italy not once, but twice. The Germany national team will take on Italy in the quarterfinals of EURO 2016 on Saturday (21:00 CEST), before Germany’s youth talents will also face off against the Squadra Azzurra in the opening match of the European U19 Championship (11th – 24th July) on 11th July.
Bayern München’s Joshua Kimmich (21) is preparing with the senior team for the quarterfinal in Bordeaux, while VfB Stuttgart’s Arianit Ferati (18) is in Schladming with the U19s ahead of the home European Championship. In a double interview with DFB.de, they both spoke about the connection between the different DFB teams and the matches against Italy.
DFB.de: Mr Ferati, how much of the European Championships have you watched at home on TV? What are your impressions of the tournament in France?
Arianit Ferati: I’ve seen almost every game and of course all of Germany’s matches. A lot of the games have been exciting and many small and largely unknown nations have managed to progress in the competition. Iceland’s run has been particularly special. It really surprised me.
DFB.de: And for your preparation – is the senior team’s match on the agenda? Will the U19s be sat in front of the TV when Germany play against Italy on Saturday?
Ferati: Obviously we will all be rooting for them and have our fingers crossed. In my opinion, the matches before were just as important. I enjoy watching football and what’s better than a big tournament? I’ve seen a few really interesting matches so far with some great goals and things that I can try to learn from.
DFB.de: You spent some time at VfB with Joshua Kimmich. Do you look up to him especially?
Ferati: Jo is two years older than me and we often used to play training matches against each other. I don’t know if he’ll remember that though. We also went to the same school. That is why I watch him a bit more. I am happy about the performances he has been putting in up until now and I’m impressed by the way his career has developed. He is a role model for everyone here, especially because he also played in the U19s two years ago.
Joshua Kimmich: It’s nice to hear things like that. I can definitely return the compliment though. We have never played together in a team but I have heard only good things about Ari from the coaches and other players. I have also seen some of the matches he has been involved in. He’s really caught the eye. He can play as a number ten or also on the wing. He is great technically, has a good eye for a pass and is clinical.
DFB.de: Mr Kimmich, how well informed are you about the DFB youth teams exactly? Is there a connection between the different Germany sides? Do you take an interest in what is going on?
Kimmich: Of course. It isn’t that long ago that I was a youth team player myself. There is definitely a connection between the teams. I will obviously be following the players who are taking part in the European U19 Championship for Germany as I am very interested in the next generation’s development. I will definitely have my fingers crossed.
DFB.de: The U19 team is seen as a stepping stone between the junior teams and the senior team but many players never make the jump. What are the decisive factors in a player’s development at this age?
Kimmich: There isn’t a magic formula, everyone has to try and make the right decisions for themselves. I was still playing in the U19s at club level in my first year with the Germany U19s in the second year I was playing in the 3. Liga with RB Leipzig. It wasn’t really working out for me at VfB and I had to take my career in a different direction. You have to be flexible – the most important thing is getting match practice and that is what I managed to get.
DFB.de: Mr Kimmich, you were crowned European Champion with the U19s two years ago. What memories do you have from the tournament in Hungary? What was the key to success?
Kimmich: Looking at the participants, we already expected a lot. First of all, we were confident in our ability, but also some of the bigger nations hadn’t qualified. That’s how we went into the tournament and individual games. We actually dominated every opponent we faced. We performed as a team, had fun and there was lots of mutual respect. Everyone is responsible for each other, the team spirit was great. It’s exactly the same here with the senior squad.
DFB.de: Mr Ferati, how is the current U19 squad set up in this respect?
Ferati: No different. We are a unit and all understand each other and get on together brilliantly. The majority have known each other for a while so therefore we work well together as a team. We have no top or standout players, rather the team as a whole is the best. Nevertheless, the players who have featured in the Bundesliga last campaign are leading figures. They lead the way on the pitch and integrate our new players. I think that we have a good mixture of players and experience.
DFB.de: Mr Kimmich, after the senior team secured the World Cup, there was even more focus than normal on the up-and-coming German players in 2014. How did you cope with being in the public eye back then?
Kimmich: That was new. Each game was broadcast live on television; there was a great deal of interest - lots more than we were accustomed to at club level. We tried to not let it distract us and to concentrate fully on training and playing.
DFB.de: The U19s withstood the pressure to win the 2014 European Championship. How important was this success in furthering your career?
Kimmich: I believe that for each of us it was a big step forward.
DFB.de: Why exactly?
Kimmich: Different reasons. For one thing, we realised that we could withstand the pressure at major tournaments. We proved ourselves on the main stage and that is a kind of final examination. We stuck together as a team and have learnt and experienced what proves decisive in winning a title. It was my first major title and I’m still really proud today that we won the tournament.
DFB.de: Lots of players from the U19 squad in 2014 have made the step up into the Bundesliga.
Kimmich: That group was really good. Niklas Stark, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Marc Stendera, Levin Öztunali, Julian Brandt, Davie Selke, Timo Werner. Many of these players have made their way to the top levels and there’s a link to explain why. Self-confidence and recognition increase when you win a title. After the European Championship, almost all players had more game time with their clubs. I’ve already said how important match practice is.
Ferati: The team back then were really good. I hope that we can follow in their footsteps. I’m certain that lots of us have the quality to reach higher levels. That only comes about though through hard work, applying yourself and discipline. We’ve all still got a long way to go. It’s even better when you have role models, like Jo, who you can use as an example.
DFB.de: Mr Ferati, the senior team have performed strongly so far at EURO 2016 in France. Are their performances additional motivation for the U19s?
Ferati: Definitely. We’re all big fans of the senior team, that’s clear. I also think that the team have been very convincing at the tournament so far. If they perform well, it pushes and motivates us to emulate them.
DFB.de: Preparation for the European U19 Championship has begun. Mr Kimmich, you’ve been through the preparation stage already. Do you have any advice for the U19s? What makes the preparations a success?
Kimmich: All players obviously want to stand out and prove themselves to the manager. But you shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself. The most important part is that you have fun and always enjoy stepping out onto the pitch. That’s a prerequisite for everything.
Ferati: I enjoy every training session, even when it’s sometimes hard. Every session helps us. I always try to give it my all and to get the most out of training.
DFB.de: Games against Italy await both the U19s and the senior team. Do you think that there’s a particular rivalry between the four-time World Champions?
Ferati: Yes, that stems from football history. Above all, because we have never beaten the Italians at a tournament. It’s time for that to change on Saturday. (laughs)
Kimmich: That’s easy for you to say. You won’t be there. (laughs) I’m obviously aware that Germany’s head-to-head record with Italy is not particularly positive. I myself have memories from a few previous encounters. I was eleven years old for the 2006 disappointment and the 2012 match is obviously much fresher in my memory. But that game has nothing to do with Saturday. There are different players on the pitch, the past has no impact or influence on the present.
DFB.de: Have you previously played against Italy, Mr Ferati?
Ferati: Yes, we lost 3-2. I also therefore have a score to settle with them.
DFB.de: Mr Kimmich, how impressed are you by Italy’s performances to date?
Kimmich: They’ve shown that they’re not only strong in defence. In the game against Spain, they very successfully played their way out of defence and also regularly pushed forward and pressed their opponents. We must counter this. But I’m certain that on Saturday we’ll have solutions ready to deal with what the Italians throw at us. I’m unbelievably excited for the game. For me, it will be the highest point of my career to date.
DFB.de: You are still very young but have already played in and experienced the pressure of big games, like in the Champions League. You’re always praised for being calm, collected and not overly excited. How do you stay so poised and level-headed?
Kimmich: It’s not true that I don’t get nervous before games. The bigger the game, the greater the tension but equally the excitement. But the excitement and the tension therefore cancel each other out. I’m always anxious to have a good first touch and be involved in the game immediately. That then gives me a good feeling for the rest of the match.
DFB.de: Mr Ferati, straight after one European Championship, another begins. The EURO 2016 final takes place in the Stade de France on 10th July and then the European U19 Championship opener against Italy is on the 11th July. The game is sold out and 54,000 fans will be at the stadium in Stuttgart. How big is the anticipation to play on that stage?
Ferati: It’s very big, not only for this game but for the whole tournament. For me, the opening game is particularly special. Stuttgart is my hometown and the stadium is excellent. All of us are fired up for the opener.
DFB.de: As World Champions, the senior team have a clear goal to win EURO 2016. What are the U19s' aims?
Ferati: We obviously want to do as best as we possibly can but our minimum target is finishing in fifth place because that would secure qualification for the U20 World Cup next year. However, we’re currently only focused on the Italy game. We’re not thinking about anything else.
DFB.de: How big is the home advantage?
Ferati: That can be a massive advantage for us. Our home fixtures during the current U19 season proved that. We’re strong at home and can handle the pressure. Our fans will also be an additional help. I am certain that they’ll really get behind us.
DFB.de: Mr Kimmich, do you already have plans for after the European Championship?
Kimmich: I’m going on holiday but I don’t know where exactly just yet. It won’t be too long, about a week. If possible, I’ll go to watch one or two of the U19s' games.
