Fritz: "Bayer Shouldn't Count On Three Points"

First Team
Friday, 18.08.2006 / 14:43

After three years at Bayer Leverkusen, Clemens Fritz made the move to Werder Bremen during the summer. On Saturday, in his second Bundesliga game in the Green-White, the defender will meet his ex-colleagues for the first time. The hobby restaurant owner talked to werder.de about what he feels about the move, what has come to his attention at Werder and why his first game at the Weser Stadium is so special.

After three years at Bayer Leverkusen, Clemens Fritz made the move to Werder Bremen during the summer. On Saturday, in his second Bundesliga game in the Green-White, the defender will meet his ex-colleagues for the first time. The hobby restaurant owner talked to werder.de about what he feels about the move, what has come to his attention at Werder and why his first game at the Weser Stadium is so special.

 

You wanted to telephone with Bernd Schneider before you clash with your old team mates. Have you had the chance yet?

We telephoned together last Friday. He wished me lots of luck, I'm looking forward to seeing him on Saturday - but that goes for all the Bayer players and the back-room staff too. I still have very good contact to them.

 

Does that include the sporting directors?

Sure. I had great experiences in Leverkusen and those in charge were always very fair to me. I made my decision to move to Werder early on but the trainer said all along that I would continue to play so long as I performed. Noone laid any stones in my path.

 

But they should leave the points in Bremen.

Of course. Sportingly I wish them all the best but they shouldn't count on three points at the weekend. So long as they're not nipping at our heels too much at the end of the season then I wish them all the best with reaching their goal of qualifying for international competition.

 

How do you rate the strong Leverkusen performance on the first match day of the season?

They've got a good side. Even if the firs game was "Just" against a newly promoted side, you still have to beat a side like Aachen 3:0. Of course the win was made easier by Aachen losing to their keeper to a red card so early on, but afetr that Leverkusen were strong. It'll be a tough job.

 

...which you are well prepared for. It would appear that everything has gone well for you since the start of training in Juli, although everything was very new.

The integration was very easy. It was good for all the new players that we went straight to the trainings camp on the first day. That way you get to know everyone very quickly. Preparations then went very well. Sure everyone hit a low point but if that doesn't happen in preparation then something is wrong.

 

When did you hit your low?

You could see that against Rot-Weiss Essen. I was really wiped out, tired. You really get annoyed at yourself and don't accept until later that there are sometimes just such days.

 

A low point is particularly threatening when there is such a battle for places as there is at Werder.

The battle for places is really extreme here. We are doubly covered in every position. You have to give your all, every day.

 

How do you deal with that situation as a player?

To be honest I see that as very positive. That helps all of us. Everyone knows where they stand and works on their performance. That pushes us forward. The season is long so everyone will be needed. Whats good for the team is good for the players.

 

Yet still the team has lived on how they hold together for years now?

That is something that has come to my attention too. As a new man you receive a very positive welcome. Everyone is really open and you are asked straight away if you'd like to join them for food or to go to the cinema. The new boys are in the team really quickly. That really helps to call up you full ability.

 

Are you surprised that Werder are consided as favourites for the title by so many experts?

Not really. Werder have made massive steps over the last few years and are up alongside Bayern Munich as one of the top clubs in the country. Werder have been playing on a very high level for a long time and I was very honoured when they asked about my availability.

 

Was the move to the Weser the biggest step in your career?

It's a move that I'm confident I can cope with. The step from Karlsruhe to Leverkusen was actually bigger for me three years ago. I went from battling against relegation in the second division to one of the top clubs in the country who were playing regular Champions League football.

 

You will play your first bundesliga home game at the Weser Stadium on Saturday. You have been there twice with Leverkusen, do you have any special memories of the games?

You could say that. My first game at the Weser was a very special one. It was a 6:2 win after Werder had spent a week celebrating winning the championship win. That was curious. We were leading 3:0 at half time but after ten second half minutes it was 2:3 and Werder were back in the game. We really needed the points for Champions League qualification and in the end it worked out well for both teams.

 

Yes, Champions League - the draw is next Friday, do you have any special wishes?

I'd like to play an English side, Chelsea or Arsenal at their new stadium. I got the chance to play Liverpool with Leverkusen - that was a great experience. It was a real experience the day before to be at Anfield Road. When they sing "You'll Never Walk Alone" there you really get goose-pimples.

 

You could get that again soon when the national anthem is sung before an international game - many see you as a candidate for the German side.

When you play at a club on the level of Werder then that has to be you goal to play for your country. At the moment it's more important for me to settle into the team and concentrate on developing at my new club. If it was to become an issue then I wouldn't say no.

 

You have also taken on the opportunity to run a restaurant along with your footballing activities. How did that happen?

That was a spontanious idea but I've been involved for some time now. I run the retaurant in Karlsruhe along with other football friends, Marco Engelhardt who recently moved to Nuremburg, Danny Fuchs from Greuther Fürth, Thomas Kies from KSC and another business man. The "Cantina Majolika" is a bar, café and restaurant in one with a big outside terrace. There is always something going on there - live music, after work parties...

 

During the summer and winter breaks, do you get behind the bar yourself?

I don't have the time but I reglarly get the statistics on my table. There has to be a lot of trust and a good concept there. It's a second income along with football which can come to a sudden end.

 

Weitere News

Your web browser ist outdated.
The web browser you are using is no longer supported.
Please download one of these free and up to date browsers.
Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge
Chrome Firefox Edge
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
MS Edge
Why should I use an up to date web browser?
Security
Newer web browsers provide better protection against malware, data theft and other threats to your privacy and security. Up to date browsers continuously close security holes that allow attackers to enter your computer.
New Technologies
The technologies used on modern websites are better supported by newer web browsers. This both increases functionality and improves the website layout. By benefiting from new functions and extensions you will be able to surf the web faster and easier.