After the announcement of his transfer, defender Mateo Pavlovic went through his first day of work with Werder Bremen. After his official presentation, the 22-year-old spoke exclusively with WERDER.DE about his jersey number...
After the announcement of his transfer, defender Mateo Pavlovic went through his first day of work with Werder Bremen. After his official presentation, the 22-year-old spoke exclusively with WERDER.DE about his jersey number...
After the announcement of his transfer, defender Mateo Pavlovic went through his first day of work with Werder Bremen. After his official presentation, the 22-year-old spoke exclusively with WERDER.DE about his jersey number, idols from earlier Werder times and the big step into the Bundesliga.
Mateo, you just had your first press conference with Werder. How was it?
Very good. I just realised that I am taking over number 4 from Naldo. That means a lot to me.
Why that? You just said it was just a number that was available.
Yeah, when I was asked about jersey numbers, I didn't think about that. But then on the podium, I thought, super, this is the number from Naldo.
Is he a role model for you?
You can say that. I very much liked to watch Mertesacker and Naldo. They are super players and I could identify myself with them very well since I have about the same size. If I had to decide on one, then I would say Naldo was a tick better. I already have his size, now I would also like to work on having a name as big as his.
So you have followed Werder a while?
Yeah, Werder is a big club which is shown often by us on television. I am very happy that it worked out. And honestly, very anxious. It's a very big step into the Bundesliga and it's also the first longer stretch abroad for me and the first time away from home. I was in Bremen for the first time in December.
What do you miss most?
I only got here yesterday and slept the night in a hotel. I cannot really miss anything yet. I will just let things happen.
On Saturday it's off to the training camp. Will you look for apartments before that?
No, I will focus on football from the first day. I was able to look at one apartment but it was much too big. I don't need that. I want to play football.
You don't speak German yet. Who is helping you get used to things here?
I got the number from Zlatko Junuzovic yesterday. A friend of mine played with him at Rapid and suggested that I call him. It was a super tip. We already talked a bit and I am going out to eat with him and Theo Gebre Selassie after this interview. Then I will learn a little bit about Bremen.
What are you really looking forward to with Werder?
Of course the stadiums! I would like to play in front of a packed stadium. That must really be a great feeling. And now I will give my all for that.
Then we wish you a good start.
