DFB.de regularly speaks to a high profile German player for whom the upcoming matchday is likely to be special. Today: Germany U21 player Robin Knoche, who was in the senior squad for the 1-0 win over Spain and is part of the VfL Wolfsburg side who travel to Signal Iduna Park to face Borussia Dortmund tonight (20:00 CET).
An interesting article appeared recently about a new beginning for an aging man. Marcelinho has extended his career. The 39-year-old has signed a contract with Brazilian club Inter de Lages but despite his age, the former Hertha BSC star is still performing strongly.
On the face of it, this has previous little to do with Robin Knoche; however, the Wolfsburg defender was happy to read the news. Like the Brazilian, Knoche is evidence of the old phrase, if you’re good enough you’re old enough. The links with Marcelinho, who used to play for VfL Wolfsburg, are brought about due to personal interest. Knoche was a huge admirer of the attackers. “I have always thought that Marcelinho was a good player – I was a bit of a Hertha fan because of him,” said the 22-year-old in a previous interview with the WAZ.
Focal point of the Wolfsburg defence
Times have changed. Knoche is now an established name in the Bundesliga. And who knows, maybe Marcelinho is a fan of him. When the Brazilian watches his former clubs, he will undoubtedly have seen Knoche play. Knoche appeared in 32 out of 34 Bundesliga games last season and completed the 90 minutes 26 times. This season he has completed 13 out of 15 games in the Bundesliga as well as starring in the Europa League.
"I felt at home with the senior team"
Knoche’s consistency didn’t go unnoticed; in November he was rewarded handsomely. Having watched the game between Germany and Gibraltar on TV on 14th November, he found himself in the squad days later due to Jerome Boateng’s injury. Knoche consequently linked up with the squad in Vigo for the friendly against Spain on 18th November.
Knoche was an unused substitute in the game, which Germany own 1-0, however, the experience was invaluable for the defender: “I felt at home with the senior team from the second I arrived,” he said. “I enjoyed my time there. It was fun to be involved with the squad.”
DFB.de regularly speaks to a high profile German player for whom the upcoming matchday is likely to be special. Today: Germany U21 player Robin Knoche, who was in the senior squad for the 1-0 win over Spain and is part of the VfL Wolfsburg side who travel to Signal Iduna Park to face Borussia Dortmund tonight (20:00 CET).
An interesting article appeared recently about a new beginning for an aging man. Marcelinho has extended his career. The 39-year-old has signed a contract with Brazilian club Inter de Lages but despite his age, the former Hertha BSC star is still performing strongly.
On the face of it, this has previous little to do with Robin Knoche; however, the Wolfsburg defender was happy to read the news. Like the Brazilian, Knoche is evidence of the old phrase, if you’re good enough you’re old enough. The links with Marcelinho, who used to play for VfL Wolfsburg, are brought about due to personal interest. Knoche was a huge admirer of the attackers. “I have always thought that Marcelinho was a good player – I was a bit of a Hertha fan because of him,” said the 22-year-old in a previous interview with the WAZ.
Focal point of the Wolfsburg defence
Times have changed. Knoche is now an established name in the Bundesliga. And who knows, maybe Marcelinho is a fan of him. When the Brazilian watches his former clubs, he will undoubtedly have seen Knoche play. Knoche appeared in 32 out of 34 Bundesliga games last season and completed the 90 minutes 26 times. This season he has completed 13 out of 15 games in the Bundesliga as well as starring in the Europa League.
"I felt at home with the senior team"
Knoche’s consistency didn’t go unnoticed; in November he was rewarded handsomely. Having watched the game between Germany and Gibraltar on TV on 14th November, he found himself in the squad days later due to Jerome Boateng’s injury. Knoche consequently linked up with the squad in Vigo for the friendly against Spain on 18th November.
Knoche was an unused substitute in the game, which Germany own 1-0, however, the experience was invaluable for the defender: “I felt at home with the senior team from the second I arrived,” he said. “I enjoyed my time there. It was fun to be involved with the squad.”
Knoche’s time in Vigo has increased his appetite for more call-ups – he doesn’t want it to be his only time with the squad. “Every footballer dreams of being involved with his national team. It’s my aim to get back into the squad and establish myself there. I know that my performances are more important than my words. If I continue to play well for my club, hopefully the manager will select me once again. It’s all down to me.”
Dreaming of the title: "It would be nice to be immortalised"
Knoche can continue his good run of performances tonight when VfL face Borussia Dortmund. It’s been a Jekyll and Hyde season for BVB so far, who have the chance to start to pull away from trouble, whilst the Wolves have the opportunity to strengthen their grip on a Champions League place and keep up the pressure on FC Bayern, who are currently 12 points clear of them. Wolfsburg are currently second in the table and are already six points clear of Leverkusen, Mönchengladbach and Augsburg – without a doubt it’s been a great season so far for Knoche and VfL.
After Wolfsburg won the Bundesliga title in 2009 the names of every player were immortalised on a wall at the Volkswagen factory in the city. Knoche wasn’t in the squad at the time and he aims to make sure that his name will be on the wall in the future: “It would be nice to be immortalised one day,” said the defender.
When this day will come remains unknown. No one knows when Bayern’s current dominance will end. However, he hopes to make it come true one day. And why not? He has time on his side, after all he’s not 39-years-old like Marcelinho.
