Passlack: "Now is when it really begins"

The 2-0 loss in the Supercup to FC Bayern München was Germany U18 international Felix Passlack’s fourth competitive game for Borussia Dortmund following his three Bundesliga appearances. The 18-year-old midfield all-rounder surprised the 81,360 spectators in Signal Iduna Park on Sunday with a brilliant performance at right-back.

Franck Ribéry lost his cool and lashed out at the European U17 Championship runner-up but BVB captain Marcel Schmelzer interpreted it as a signal of Passlack’s ability. “There is no bigger compliment than a player resorting to violence. Felix played amazingly well; he won a lot of challenges against Ribéry and worked hard going forwards,” said left-back Schmelzer, who was full of praise for the Germany Youth Championship winner.

Passlack thought he had brought his team ahead in the 50th minute with a brilliant shot from twenty yards but was denied by World Goalkeeper of the Year Manuel Neuer. Felix Passlack spoke in an interview for DFB.de about the battle with Bayern’s Franck Ribéry, the jump from the youth teams to the first team and his prospects at BVB.

Question: Felix Passlack, what was it like to play against Franck Ribéry?

Felix Passlack: It was definitely a real honour to play against such a great footballer with the skills he has. It was really fun.

Question: You played very well against him. Did he not enjoy that?

Passlack: No, probably not. There was a point when you could really see that.

Question: What happened in the 27th minute from your point of view?

Passlack: He got the ball from the defender, I put some pressure on him from behind and he hit me with his arm. Everyone can judge the situation for themselves but I thought it was clearly a red card.

Question: You are new in the team and had to play against a top quality player like Ribéry. How did you prepare for it?

Passlack: You obviously ask your team mates for tips, especially those who have played against him before. Then you have to try and implement them in the game.

Question: We you happy with your Supercup performance?

Passlack: I was extremely happy. Obviously, there are always a few things you can improve on. I will be looking at these this week and see if we can try to make them better.

Question: What is it like when you move up from the youth teams to the first team?

Passlack: It’s a lot of fun and is a dream for any footballer, who plays in Borussia Dortmund‘s youth teams, especially if you were a ball boy or in the stands when you were younger. It’s obviously then a lot of fun to actually be one of the players out on the pitch.

Question: Despite the 2-0 loss, did you expect that newly reformed Dortmund side to put in such a strong performance against Bayern?

Passlack: Of course. There are a lot of new players at the club and we we have to see how the next few weeks pan out but I think that was a very good performance.

Question: You coach Thomas Tuchel said during the training camp that young players shouldn’t be designated positions. They should just try to take their chance whenever there is a space in the team. That seemed to be the case for you at right-back. Do you want to break through in that position?

Passlack: It doesn’t really matter to me where I play, whether it’s left-back, left-wing, right-wing or right-back. I would be happy in any position and try my best.

Question: You had a full pre-season with the first team over the summer. Do you feel like a full member of the team now?

Passlack: I think so. The last half a year was a bit of a transition period. I think that now is when it really begins.

Question: How difficult was it for you when other young talents at BVB such as Christian Pulisic were brought up ahead of you?

Passlack: It wasn’t difficult. We all root for the other players who come from the same youth team. That is why I was very excited for him. In fact it is only more of a reason to work hard on your own game and that’s what I’ve been doing.