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The group has been drawn, the team’s base has been chosen and there are very few berths still up for grabs in the Germany squad for Brazil 2014. From now on, matters things such as achieving peak fitness, keeping a clear head and fostering team spirit will become increasingly important. Arne Friedrich knows what it takes to get match fit for a World Cup, having made a significant contribution to Germany’s campaign at South Africa 2010. The long-serving Hertha BSC captain has contested vital international matches against Portugal and Ghana in two of 82 caps for his country and has experienced football in America first-hand. Having spent two years in Chicago, Friedrich is once again a Berlin resident and spoke to DFB.de in the Interview of the Week.
DFB.de: Arne Friedrich, between 2004 and 2010 you represented Germany in every match at every major international tournament. However, you saved your best for last in South Africa, where you lined up in central defence alongside Per Mertesacker and played every single minute of the team’s World Cup campaign. You outplayed Messi and Tevez in the quarter-final against Argentina to score Germany’s third goal – your first international strike in 77 matches. Your performances were widely considered world class and you completed the tournament with the best tackle-rate in the DFB squad. Moreover, you didn’t commit a single foul in four of the seven matches played. In brief, how did you do it?
Arne Friedrich: I was able to play in the centre of defence rather than at right-back, where I had been deployed previously, but the year before the World Cup was otherwise a tough one. I had just been relegated with Hertha BSC when I flew out to Africa, but the national team coach saw my performances during our World Cup preparations and put his trust in me.
DFB.de: Had you already signed your contract with Wolfsburg before the tournament?
Friedrich: Yes, everything was finalised before the World Cup began.
DFB.de: Nevertheless, was it difficult to clear your head for the World Cup?
Friedrich: Definitely. I’d played in Berlin for eight years, so being relegated was devastating. By that point, we’d lost 20 games and were last in the table by some distance. A huge amount of criticism was placed on me as Hertha captain; it was a really long season for me and the pressure was immense. However, shortly before the World Cup, once my transfer was confirmed, I really felt a weight was lifted. My tackling immediately improved and my self-confidence returned with each game I played.
DFB.de: In 2010, captain Michael Ballack was injured shortly before the tournament. How did the team manage to put his withdrawal behind them?
Friedrich: Very well, as you could see from how we played. Michael would certainly have helped up, particularly in the semi-final against Spain. But overall, the team did exceptionally well in compensating for his absence. Philipp [Lahm] became captain and several experienced players helped to share responsibility for steering the team.
DFB.de: Sami Khedira picked up a serious injury in the friendly against Italy in Milan on 15 November, so once again a dominant defensive midfielder may be forced out of the World Cup through injury.
Friedrich: Sami Khedira’s injury is a big blow as he’s an incredibly important player. He has a very strong presence on the pitch and he’s a very versatile player technically, but he can also knuckle down and play more robustly when required. He covers an enormous amount of ground during a match. Khedira runs hard and, even more importantly, he’s extremely determined, so his return from injury will be crucial for the team. Our team urgently needs his willpower, particularly given the temperatures in Fortaleza and Recife, but that same willpower will help Sami to get fit in plenty of time for the World Cup.
DFB.de: Per Mertesacker was forced to miss EURO 2012 but is now a first-team regular with six months to go until Brazil. Do you feel particularly pleased for your former central defensive partner?
Friedrich: Per’s move to Arsenal was very important, as Arsene Wenger is one of the best coaches in the world. With Wenger’s help, Per has developed his game even further and improved his skills both on and off the pitch. In any case, he is not only a very talented player but an unbelievably nice guy too. Per has been in the national team almost constantly for about ten years now. Almost every international has the occasional lapses… except perhaps Philipp Lahm.
DFB.de: There has been much discussion about Germany’s team base in Brazil. Last time, you stayed at Gran Velmore, near Pretoria. How much of an impact do the right surroundings have on performance?
Friedrich: It’s incredibly important. You spend so long together in one place, so it’s a good idea to create an atmosphere where the players can feel at home. There are days when everyone needs to clear their heads and nobody wants to think about football. Variety is important for breaking routine every now and again, and the hotel has to provide opportunities to do that. In South Africa, we really did have every sport and leisure option imaginable. There were always things to do and events going on, even outside the hotel. In this respect the DFB and Oliver Bierhoff in particular have thought of every last detail. Things are going well.
DFB.de: The World Cup group draw took place in Costa de Sauipe last Friday. Ghana are our group opponents again, just like in 2010. What do you remember about that third group match in Johannesburg?
Friedrich: It was an incredibly close match. I knew it would be close and I still recall how focused I was at kick-off. Mesut Özil made it 1-0 in the 60th minute. There’s a photo of me straight after the final whistle: on my knees, fists clenched. The emotions just came pouring out straight away. It was very close; Ghana are simply tough to play against. They’ve got an exceptionally talented player in Kevin-Prince Boateng, and he’ll be very fired up to compete against his brother again. Asamoah Gyan, who played up front in 2010 and will probably still be in the team in Brazil, is certainly another huge asset for them. It won’t be easy, but on the other hand, our team has the quality to overcome any opponent.
DFB.de: After the Ghana game, you said that performance would not be enough against England. How dissatisfied were you?
Friedrich: We had to play a decisive group match in Johannesburg in front of a crowd of 80,000. A point was enough for us, while Ghana had to win or hope for other results to go their way. It was 0-0 for a long time and it wasn’t easy to withstand the pressure. It was a very tough task.
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DFB.de: The match against Portugal in the quarter-final of EURO 2008 was another special match for you, as the coach entrusted you to mark Cristiano Ronaldo.
Friedrich: As a player, you do wonder beforehand how things will go. I actually found it helpful to have the particular task of trying to nullify a specific player. The better the opponent, the more I could get stuck into the task at hand. That suited me.
DFB.de: Germany ultimately won the match 3-2, and Ronaldo didn’t score.
Friedrich (laughs): But then neither did I.
DFB.de: Do you think Ronaldo should win the 2013 Ballon d’Or?
Friedrich: No, I think the title deserves to go to a Bundesliga player. The league is now among the best in Europe and Franck Ribéry has had an absolutely world-class season. I can’t vote, but if I could, I’d vote for Ribéry.
DFB.de: You also know Germany’s third World Cup group opponents very well.
Friedrich: Yes, but there aren’t very many US internationals playing Major League Soccer; the best-known player is probably Clint Dempsey at Seattle Sounders. Jürgen Klinsmann gathers his players from other leagues, but I’m confident he can form a team from them by the time the World Cup starts. They’ll all run well and fight hard, but we’ve got completely different potential.
DFB.de: What was it like to play football in the USA at the end of your career?
Friedrich: It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and one of the best times I’ve had playing football. Everything is very professional there. I learned the language, made new friends and had a house right on Lake Michigan. I think Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
DFB.de: Surely not more beautiful than Berlin?
Friedrich: Berlin’s my home, but I would rate the quality of life more highly in Chicago.
DFB.de: You slipped a disc in autumn 2010, and the condition steadily worsened after that. How is it feeling nowadays?
Friedrich: Much better. I left Chicago Fire about six months ago and since then my health has improved by about 80 per cent. Any remaining problems I have are marginal.
DFB.de: What does the future hold for you? Do you know what route you’ll take now that your playing career is over – coaching or TV, perhaps?
Friedrich: No. At the moment, I’m learning Spanish: five lessons a week, three hours per lesson. I’m also playing a lot of sport again at the moment. I haven’t taken any specific next steps yet. I’ll see what happens.
DFB.de: And to finish, a big question: who will win the World Cup?
Friedrich: A few days ago, Jogi Löw said that, for him, Brazil are favourites because of the climate conditions and their home advantage, but I think Germany are favourites. Over the past few years, the team have proven time and again that they can play football at an incredibly high level. Luck will also play a part, of course. Italy weren’t convincing in 2006 but they ended up as world champions. We’re now ready to challenge for the title.
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[bild1]
The group has been drawn, the team’s base has been chosen and there are very few berths still up for grabs in the Germany squad for Brazil 2014. From now on, matters things such as achieving peak fitness, keeping a clear head and fostering team spirit will become increasingly important. Arne Friedrich knows what it takes to get match fit for a World Cup, having made a significant contribution to Germany’s campaign at South Africa 2010. The long-serving Hertha BSC captain has contested vital international matches against Portugal and Ghana in two of 82 caps for his country and has experienced football in America first-hand. Having spent two years in Chicago, Friedrich is once again a Berlin resident and spoke to DFB.de in the Interview of the Week.
DFB.de: Arne Friedrich, between 2004 and 2010 you represented Germany in every match at every major international tournament. However, you saved your best for last in South Africa, where you lined up in central defence alongside Per Mertesacker and played every single minute of the team’s World Cup campaign. You outplayed Messi and Tevez in the quarter-final against Argentina to score Germany’s third goal – your first international strike in 77 matches. Your performances were widely considered world class and you completed the tournament with the best tackle-rate in the DFB squad. Moreover, you didn’t commit a single foul in four of the seven matches played. In brief, how did you do it?
Arne Friedrich: I was able to play in the centre of defence rather than at right-back, where I had been deployed previously, but the year before the World Cup was otherwise a tough one. I had just been relegated with Hertha BSC when I flew out to Africa, but the national team coach saw my performances during our World Cup preparations and put his trust in me.
DFB.de: Had you already signed your contract with Wolfsburg before the tournament?
Friedrich: Yes, everything was finalised before the World Cup began.
DFB.de: Nevertheless, was it difficult to clear your head for the World Cup?
Friedrich: Definitely. I’d played in Berlin for eight years, so being relegated was devastating. By that point, we’d lost 20 games and were last in the table by some distance. A huge amount of criticism was placed on me as Hertha captain; it was a really long season for me and the pressure was immense. However, shortly before the World Cup, once my transfer was confirmed, I really felt a weight was lifted. My tackling immediately improved and my self-confidence returned with each game I played.
DFB.de: In 2010, captain Michael Ballack was injured shortly before the tournament. How did the team manage to put his withdrawal behind them?
Friedrich: Very well, as you could see from how we played. Michael would certainly have helped up, particularly in the semi-final against Spain. But overall, the team did exceptionally well in compensating for his absence. Philipp [Lahm] became captain and several experienced players helped to share responsibility for steering the team.
DFB.de: Sami Khedira picked up a serious injury in the friendly against Italy in Milan on 15 November, so once again a dominant defensive midfielder may be forced out of the World Cup through injury.
Friedrich: Sami Khedira’s injury is a big blow as he’s an incredibly important player. He has a very strong presence on the pitch and he’s a very versatile player technically, but he can also knuckle down and play more robustly when required. He covers an enormous amount of ground during a match. Khedira runs hard and, even more importantly, he’s extremely determined, so his return from injury will be crucial for the team. Our team urgently needs his willpower, particularly given the temperatures in Fortaleza and Recife, but that same willpower will help Sami to get fit in plenty of time for the World Cup.
DFB.de: Per Mertesacker was forced to miss EURO 2012 but is now a first-team regular with six months to go until Brazil. Do you feel particularly pleased for your former central defensive partner?
Friedrich: Per’s move to Arsenal was very important, as Arsene Wenger is one of the best coaches in the world. With Wenger’s help, Per has developed his game even further and improved his skills both on and off the pitch. In any case, he is not only a very talented player but an unbelievably nice guy too. Per has been in the national team almost constantly for about ten years now. Almost every international has the occasional lapses… except perhaps Philipp Lahm.
DFB.de: There has been much discussion about Germany’s team base in Brazil. Last time, you stayed at Gran Velmore, near Pretoria. How much of an impact do the right surroundings have on performance?
Friedrich: It’s incredibly important. You spend so long together in one place, so it’s a good idea to create an atmosphere where the players can feel at home. There are days when everyone needs to clear their heads and nobody wants to think about football. Variety is important for breaking routine every now and again, and the hotel has to provide opportunities to do that. In South Africa, we really did have every sport and leisure option imaginable. There were always things to do and events going on, even outside the hotel. In this respect the DFB and Oliver Bierhoff in particular have thought of every last detail. Things are going well.
DFB.de: The World Cup group draw took place in Costa de Sauipe last Friday. Ghana are our group opponents again, just like in 2010. What do you remember about that third group match in Johannesburg?
Friedrich: It was an incredibly close match. I knew it would be close and I still recall how focused I was at kick-off. Mesut Özil made it 1-0 in the 60th minute. There’s a photo of me straight after the final whistle: on my knees, fists clenched. The emotions just came pouring out straight away. It was very close; Ghana are simply tough to play against. They’ve got an exceptionally talented player in Kevin-Prince Boateng, and he’ll be very fired up to compete against his brother again. Asamoah Gyan, who played up front in 2010 and will probably still be in the team in Brazil, is certainly another huge asset for them. It won’t be easy, but on the other hand, our team has the quality to overcome any opponent.
DFB.de: After the Ghana game, you said that performance would not be enough against England. How dissatisfied were you?
Friedrich: We had to play a decisive group match in Johannesburg in front of a crowd of 80,000. A point was enough for us, while Ghana had to win or hope for other results to go their way. It was 0-0 for a long time and it wasn’t easy to withstand the pressure. It was a very tough task.
[bild2]
DFB.de: The match against Portugal in the quarter-final of EURO 2008 was another special match for you, as the coach entrusted you to mark Cristiano Ronaldo.
Friedrich: As a player, you do wonder beforehand how things will go. I actually found it helpful to have the particular task of trying to nullify a specific player. The better the opponent, the more I could get stuck into the task at hand. That suited me.
DFB.de: Germany ultimately won the match 3-2, and Ronaldo didn’t score.
Friedrich (laughs): But then neither did I.
DFB.de: Do you think Ronaldo should win the 2013 Ballon d’Or?
Friedrich: No, I think the title deserves to go to a Bundesliga player. The league is now among the best in Europe and Franck Ribéry has had an absolutely world-class season. I can’t vote, but if I could, I’d vote for Ribéry.
DFB.de: You also know Germany’s third World Cup group opponents very well.
Friedrich: Yes, but there aren’t very many US internationals playing Major League Soccer; the best-known player is probably Clint Dempsey at Seattle Sounders. Jürgen Klinsmann gathers his players from other leagues, but I’m confident he can form a team from them by the time the World Cup starts. They’ll all run well and fight hard, but we’ve got completely different potential.
DFB.de: What was it like to play football in the USA at the end of your career?
Friedrich: It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and one of the best times I’ve had playing football. Everything is very professional there. I learned the language, made new friends and had a house right on Lake Michigan. I think Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
DFB.de: Surely not more beautiful than Berlin?
Friedrich: Berlin’s my home, but I would rate the quality of life more highly in Chicago.
DFB.de: You slipped a disc in autumn 2010, and the condition steadily worsened after that. How is it feeling nowadays?
Friedrich: Much better. I left Chicago Fire about six months ago and since then my health has improved by about 80 per cent. Any remaining problems I have are marginal.
DFB.de: What does the future hold for you? Do you know what route you’ll take now that your playing career is over – coaching or TV, perhaps?
Friedrich: No. At the moment, I’m learning Spanish: five lessons a week, three hours per lesson. I’m also playing a lot of sport again at the moment. I haven’t taken any specific next steps yet. I’ll see what happens.
DFB.de: And to finish, a big question: who will win the World Cup?
Friedrich: A few days ago, Jogi Löw said that, for him, Brazil are favourites because of the climate conditions and their home advantage, but I think Germany are favourites. Over the past few years, the team have proven time and again that they can play football at an incredibly high level. Luck will also play a part, of course. Italy weren’t convincing in 2006 but they ended up as world champions. We’re now ready to challenge for the title.
