Caldirola: "We could get something in Leverkusen"

Werders defender Luca Caldirola expects a difficult match in Leverkusen.
First Team
Thursday, 11.09.2014 / 12:28

Werder Bremen will start off the third match day of the Bundesliga with an away match at Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night (kick-off 8:30 p.m.). Italians Luca Caldirola and Giulio...



Werder Bremen will start off the third match day of the Bundesliga with an away match at Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night (kick-off 8:30 p.m.). Italians Luca Caldirola and Giulio Donati will face off in BayArena in a showdown of players who helped Italy reach the final of the 2013 U21 European Championship. Donati is considered one of the best right backs for Leverkusen while Caldirola is a centre back who is fearless in his challenges for the Green-Whites. WERDER.DE met the two of them for an exclusive interview.

Ciao Giulio, Ciao Luca - you guys will face off against each other on Friday. Leverkusen started the season with two victories and Werder with two draws. Are Leverkusen the clear favourite on the third match day of the Bundesliga?

Giulio Donati: We all know that we must play a perfect match to beat Werder Bremen. In my opinion, Werder have stabilised themselves compared to last season. Against Hertha Berlin, they showed that they cannot be beaten so easily. That will not be any different in Leverkusen.

Luca Caldirola: Leverkusen started really well in the season, winning all of their matches. It's a very strong team which is difficult to beat. But we will do everything we can to play the match as even as possible and aggravate Leverkusen. The recent matches against Leverkusen have shown that it's always very tight.

Donati: "The Bundesliga is pretty great"

Giulio, your coach Roger Schmidt really plays an offensive style. What tactical role do you have as a right back with Bayer Leverkusen?

Giulio Donati: We press pretty heavily - and quite far forward at that. As an outside defender, we must maintain the connection between our midfielders and strikers.

Luca, how can Werder best play against such an offensive-minded opponent?


Luca Caldirola: We will try to play a poised defence and not allow too many chances for the opponent. And then we always want to push forward as quickly as possible. That really worked well in the second half of last season and also in the second half against Hertha berlin as well.

You both came to the Bundesliga last summer from Inter Milan and now have one season in Germany behind you with many appearances. How do you like the Bundesliga?

Giulio Donati: The Bundesliga is pretty great, a wonderful competition. And it keeps getting better. In my opinion, it's right up there with the English Premier League as the best league in Europe. The quality of the teams and the passion felt in the stadiums make it very attractive - for the players and the fans.

Luca Caldirola: I like it a lot. All of the teams in the Bundesliga have a high quality, there are super stadiums and great fans. Nearly every match is sold out - everything fits perfectly. It's no surprise that the Bundesliga is among the most attractive leagues in the world.

And what are the major differences between the Italian and Germany leagues?

Giulio Donati: The Italian league is very tactic orientated. The style is much more defensive than in Germany. Here the stadiums are almost always full, they are new, offer their visitors a high standard, an excellent infrastructure. And the fans respect the rules. There are not as many riots like in Italian stadiums.

Luca Caldirola: I can only agree with Giulio. In Italy, they really value the defence. In Germany, the teams play more offensive minded. And I already talked about the stadiums. It's really unique here.

Caldirola: "It will be a very tight match"

Honestly, how are Italians able to take our weather and food? Can you tolerate it?

Giulio Donati: The food is actually almost like in Italy - you just prepare it differently (laughs). And the weather? In my first year in Germany it was pretty okay actually, not really that cold. Although, I really didn't see the sun that often ...

Luca Caldirola: I feel pretty good all around in Germany. I like the mentality of the people, the food and also the weather. I'm not the kind of guy who likes it always so warm. So everything is really good here.

You both last summer reached the final of the U21 European Championship with Italy. Is making the Squadra Azzura still your major goal?


Giulio Donati: The national team is the goal of every football professional. I am working hard here in Leverkusen to make that happen. I can do it if I play my game. And I am doing everything I can for that.

Luca Caldirola:
There's nothing greater than representing your country. It was always a special honour even with the U21s and it would be incredible with the A-national team. But you only get a nomination for the national team if you play well with your club. I will do that and then hope that one day I can get that call.

To finish up, of course we need a tip from each of you - what's going to happen in the match between Leverkusen and Werder?

Giulio Donati: It will certainly be difficult, but I am convinced that we will win if we play our game.

Luca Caldirola:
It will be a very tight match. If we can build upon the second half of the Hoffenheim match, then we can get something. But it will be a very difficult match for us.

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