"Everything is different here" - Gauchos in double interview

At home in the heart of Bremen and the heart of Bremen fans: Santiago Garcia and Franco Di Santo in front of City Hall.
First Team
Monday, 05.05.2014 / 09:25

The South American duo Franco Di Santo and Santiago Garcia have nearly finished their first season with SV Werder. And since last Wednesday, it's official that ‘Santi' and...



The South American duo Franco Di Santo and Santiago Garcia have nearly finished their first season with SV Werder. And since last Wednesday, it's official that ‘Santi' and Franco will continue to be teammates for the coming years. That was reason enough for WERDER.DE to sit down with the two Gauchos.

WERDER.DE: Hello Santi, hello Franco! Less than 24 hours ago, the team beat Hertha Berlin 2-0. How happy are you to have won the final home match of the season?

Franco Di Santo: "Very happy, especially because it was a victory for our fans. We really wanted to give something back to them after all the great support all season. And the best way to do that is with three points - and we did it."

Santiago Garcia: "After the somewhat poor first half, we talked in the changing room that one point is not enough. We then played better up front and luckily Aaron scored twice. It was good for him, good for us and especially good for the fans."

WERDER.DE: Can you tell us what you do when you do something during your free time?

Santiago Garcia: "We like to meet up at home privately and eat a lot. The thing I like most is to have a barbeque. I will do that quite a few times this summer. But I also like to go to the Bürgerpark a lot. It's very idyllic and quiet."

WERDER.DE: And what about you Franco?

Franco Di Santo: "I also like meeting up with friends but I also like going into the city to drink a coffee and watch the people go by (laughs)."

WERDER.DE: You both have nearly finished your first season with SV Werder. How would you judge your first year looking back?

Santiago Garcia: "At the beginning, it wasn't very easy for me because the move came suddenly last summer. But looking back, it was a very good decision and a good year for me. I played a lot and really got used to things here."

Franco Di Santo: "The beginning wasn't so easy for me either. Especially because of the injury at the beginning of the year and the red card from the home match against Frankfurt. It was difficult to find my rhythm. But the last half year has gone very well for me and it went a bit better for the team in the second half as well."

WERDER.DE: Is there something about Werder, Bremen or Germany that surprised you?

Franco Di Santo: "Honestly, I am positively surprised by the Bundesliga. The level here - similar to that in England - is very high. There are a lot of good teams with an even level. They play good football here and they really get after it."

Santiago Garcia: "The stadiums, the league, the mentality of the people - everything is different here than in Argentina or Italy. The stadiums are full here every weekend and the fans have a very positive passion. That really impressed me."

WERDER.DE: Was there a sports highlight in the last few months for you?

Santiago Garcia: "The games against Hamburg were really special for me. In the first match, I played my first match for Werder and we won at our rivals. The second game wasn't just unique because of the victory and great atmosphere but also because of the anniversary and the importance of the match. You could really sense the positive electricity in the whole city weeks ahead of time.

WERDER.DE: You talk about the special atmosphere in the city. What role did the fans play in staying in the league this season?

Santiago Garcia: "I really like how the fans support us - there's even a lot of commotion at away matches. I think back to the match in Hannover or the scene after the Mainz match. Of course that gave us a push."

Franco Di Santo: "We are very thankful for the support of the fans. It's a good feeling to know that you will not be booed when you make a mistake but instead picked back up."

WERDER.DE: Speaking of good feeling, Franco, how does it look for you in taking part in the World Cup? What's the latest?

Franco Di Santo: "The provisional roster will be announced on Monday. Of course I hope that I am among the 30 players and then can travel with the team to the World Cup."

WERDER.DE: So you probably haven't booked a holiday?

Franco Di Santo: "No, of course not. I will hope until the end that I can be in Brazil."

WERDER.DE: And where will you follow the World Cup, Santi?

Santiago Garcia: "I will be with my twin brother Manuel in Mexico. That's where I will watch the World Cup. I hope that I can see Franco playing. (laughs)"

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