Florian Neuhaus has been getting more and more game time with TSV München 1860 in the Bundesliga 2. Therefore, he fully deserved his call up to the Germany U20 squad. However, the midfielder is ambitious and has his sights set on the U20 World Cup in South Korea. In an interview with DFB.de, the 20-year-old speaks about the upcoming game against Switzerland on Monday (18:00 CEST) and his Munich teammates in the U20 Germany team.
DFB.de: Mr Neuhaus, after the 1-0 win on Thursday, the second-leg against Switzerland is fast approaching. How important are these two games?
Florian Neuhaus: It’s one of the hardest in terms of the World Cup in South Korea. The Swiss were a tough opponent in Elversberg. They are strong offensively and outplayed us at times in that match, but that has to change on Monday. All in all, over the 90 minutes, the match was exciting and even and ultimately went in our favour. I think we deserved to win.
DFB.de: In which areas does the team need to improve?
Neuhaus: The Switzerland game was the third U20 international match in a row in which we’ve kept a clean sheet and won. That’s a good foundation ahead of the upcoming World Cup on which we can build on Monday. However, we need to improve offensively and show more quality and ambition in order to create more chances and score more goals.
DFB.de: How are you preparing for the match in Biel?
Neuhaus: The legs were feeling the strain after the match in Elversberg. However, the recovery session on Friday helped a lot in terms of getting us back up to fitness and helping us rebuild our strength ahead of Monday. I am very focused on the game and will give my all, not least because the World Cup squad will be announced in a few days’ time, and I really want to be a part of it.
DFB.de: How do you think your chances are of being called up to Guido Streichsbier’s World Cup squad?
Florian Neuhaus has been getting more and more game time with TSV München 1860 in the Bundesliga 2. Therefore, he fully deserved his call up to the Germany U20 squad. However, the midfielder is ambitious and has his sights set on the U20 World Cup in South Korea. In an interview with DFB.de, the 20-year-old speaks about the upcoming game against Switzerland on Monday (18:00 CEST) and his Munich teammates in the U20 Germany team.
DFB.de: Mr Neuhaus, after the 1-0 win on Thursday, the second-leg against Switzerland is fast approaching. How important are these two games?
Florian Neuhaus: It’s one of the hardest in terms of the World Cup in South Korea. The Swiss were a tough opponent in Elversberg. They are strong offensively and outplayed us at times in that match, but that has to change on Monday. All in all, over the 90 minutes, the match was exciting and even and ultimately went in our favour. I think we deserved to win.
DFB.de: In which areas does the team need to improve?
Neuhaus: The Switzerland game was the third U20 international match in a row in which we’ve kept a clean sheet and won. That’s a good foundation ahead of the upcoming World Cup on which we can build on Monday. However, we need to improve offensively and show more quality and ambition in order to create more chances and score more goals.
DFB.de: How are you preparing for the match in Biel?
Neuhaus: The legs were feeling the strain after the match in Elversberg. However, the recovery session on Friday helped a lot in terms of getting us back up to fitness and helping us rebuild our strength ahead of Monday. I am very focused on the game and will give my all, not least because the World Cup squad will be announced in a few days’ time, and I really want to be a part of it.
DFB.de: How do you think your chances are of being called up to Guido Streichsbier’s World Cup squad?
Neuhaus: It is a dream for every player to play in a World Cup, and of course I want to go along with the team to South Korea. I will give my best for both the national team and for my club, but the decision can only be made by the coach. For that reason, I leave it to be surprised. If my name is on the list, I would of course be delighted.
DFB.de: Your 1860 München colleagues Felix Uduokhai and Maximilian Engl are also part of the U20 squad. Does the club connection help when you join up with the national team?
Neuhaus: It is a big advantage for us and for the national team. I have been playing alongside Felix since U12 level, and with Maximilian since U16. We know each other and the way each of us plays very well, and we have a good understanding and mutual connection on the pitch.
