WERDER.DE: What was your biggest challenge?
Rashica: “It took me a while to build up my fitness and to get used to the style of play and my teammates. The fitness side of things was the hardest thing for me.”
WERDER.DE: The development and progress of young players can often end up very differently. Not a lot of them can play so early in a top league like the Bundesliga. It took you a little longer.
Rashica: “Yes, of course. I perhaps missed out on the right training as young players. I have only been playing for four years in European football. I spent two and half years in Arnhem and have been here in Germany for just over a year. Before that I played in Kosovo, which is a huge difference to here, and even Holland.
WERDER.DE: What were the conditions like during your youth?
Rashica: “It was very difficult for my generation. The training conditions were not good and we rarely had two training pitches. The clubs have only started investing more money so now younger players have more opportunities. Kosovo is now part of UEFA and FIFA and there are a number of scouts from other leagues surveying the league, so that our younger players can move earlier into youth academies across Europe.
WERDER.DE: Despite that you made it…
Rashica: “Which my family and I are very proud of. I am one of the first players from Kosovo to make in a top league, without taking a detour via Albania. I’m really pleased that the people from my home country support me so much.
WERDER.DE: If you follow the reactions from Kosovo, then it’s clear that you’re a star for the younger generations.
Rashica: “I don’t see myself as a star, but maybe an example of someone making it, which is good for the kids. Younger people in Kosovo are becoming more and more interested in football. The Euro qualifier against Bulgaria for example was sold out in less than an hour.”
WERDER.DE: There is an international break after the Leverkusen game. You will begin the Euro qualifiers with Kosovo. What does playing in these kind of games mean to you?
Rashica: “It’s our second attempt at qualifying for a major tournament. In our World Cup qualifiying group we had Croatia, Turkey, Iceland, Ukraine and Finland – so it was really difficult. We barely knew one another, but are a tighter bunch after our win in the Nations League. We have another difficult group with England and Czech Republic, who also have Pavlas and Theo.”
WERDER.de: Do you think you have a chance in the Euro Qualification group then?
Rashica: “We have a chance. If we don’t win the group, then we have a chance in the play-offs against the winners of the Nations League D. The semi-finals and the final take place after the group stage…
WERDER.de: And you will face among other teams England…
Rashica: “That will be a massive game. We are young team and a young footballing nation. To play against those kinds of players will be amazing. Everything is possible in football.”