The 1. FC Phoenix Lübeck lost the DFB Cup match against Borussia Dortmund with 1:4, but is richer for an unforgettable experience. Johann Bergerthe 25-year-old captain of Lübeck, spoke to DFB.de after the game about the greatest football experience of his career.
DFB.de: Mr. Berger, how did it feel to walk into Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion in front of 50,971 spectators? Have you ever experienced anything similar in your football career?
Johann Berger: I was in the Hansa Rostock squad once before, when we were in the third division, when we played an away game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern at the Betzenberg. The stadium was similar in size, but of course it wasn’t against an opponent like Dortmund – and not in this setting either. Today was an outstanding experience. Playing in front of over 50,000 people is simply overwhelming. For players like us, it’s hard to imagine anything better in football. It was great fun. I think we gave it our all. I will do everything I can to experience something like that again.
DFB.de: And what is your conclusion about the game? Your team did score one goal and hit the post three times…
Berger: The first two goals we conceded were very unfortunate – first from a corner, then from a penalty. We were asleep for a moment. And Dortmund played it out well. With a bit of luck with the shots hitting the post, we could have made the game even closer. Nevertheless, it was simply a very good performance from us. Everyone can leave the game with a great feeling and say that they gave it their all. I am proud of the team and everyone in the club who made this possible.
DFB.de: What was the key to you having such a strong phase after the 1-3 goal with the three shots hitting the post and crossbar?
Berger: I think we noticed that Dortmund might just want to play it down. Of course, Dortmund had the best possession of the ball. They were extremely secure on the ball, especially in midfield. But they might have thought that the game would just peter out. That’s how we got our chances, because we can gamble. With a bit of luck, we could have scored another goal or two, and it would have looked better. But we can also be proud of ourselves.
DFB.de: Which Borussia Dortmund opponents impressed you the most?
Berger: The whole midfield with Pascal Groß, Emre Can and Julian Brandt. Brandt in particular is my favourite player in Germany. I even got his jersey after the game. It was a very good day for me in that respect too.
DFB.de: And then his loss of the ball led to your team’s goal…
Berger: Exactly, he also involuntarily initiated our goal (laughs)But it was otherwise great to see how Brandt turned in the right direction with one touch, and his light-footedness with and without the ball is also brutally strong. He scored the 3-0 superbly, took the ball down really well and easily pushed the ball into the goal. There’s a reason he’s playing where he is today. For me, it was an absolute highlight to play against him.
DFB.de: Normally, the host team can count on the support of the crowd in the DFB Cup. But this time, the majority of the spectators were Dortmund fans. Did that make it feel like an away game?
Berger: It felt like an away game, that’s for sure. With the power that Dortmund brought to the stands, we knew that beforehand. But it was also very cool. I really enjoyed playing in front of so many spectators. We wouldn’t have been able to do that in Lübeck. I’m very happy that we were able to play the game in the Volksparkstadion. It was great fun.
DFB.de: And what happens next in the Regionalliga Nord?
Berger: We started the season with a defeat, but then recently won against VfB Oldenburg. As great as the cup game was, we still have to get back to everyday league life quickly. We can’t let the next week or two go to sleep and reminisce. That was a great day, but from now on we have to concentrate fully on the next task at SV Todesfelde.
[oj]
The 1. FC Phoenix Lübeck lost the DFB Cup match against Borussia Dortmund with 1:4, but is richer for an unforgettable experience. Johann Bergerthe 25-year-old captain of Lübeck, spoke to DFB.de after the game about the greatest football experience of his career.
DFB.de: Mr. Berger, how did it feel to walk into Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion in front of 50,971 spectators? Have you ever experienced anything similar in your football career?
Johann Berger: I was in the Hansa Rostock squad once before, when we were in the third division, when we played an away game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern at the Betzenberg. The stadium was similar in size, but of course it wasn’t against an opponent like Dortmund – and not in this setting either. Today was an outstanding experience. Playing in front of over 50,000 people is simply overwhelming. For players like us, it’s hard to imagine anything better in football. It was great fun. I think we gave it our all. I will do everything I can to experience something like that again.
DFB.de: And what is your conclusion about the game? Your team did score one goal and hit the post three times…
Berger: The first two goals we conceded were very unfortunate – first from a corner, then from a penalty. We were asleep for a moment. And Dortmund played it out well. With a bit of luck with the shots hitting the post, we could have made the game even closer. Nevertheless, it was simply a very good performance from us. Everyone can leave the game with a great feeling and say that they gave it their all. I am proud of the team and everyone in the club who made this possible.
DFB.de: What was the key to you having such a strong phase after the 1-3 goal with the three shots hitting the post and crossbar?
Berger: I think we noticed that Dortmund might just want to play it down. Of course, Dortmund had the best possession of the ball. They were extremely secure on the ball, especially in midfield. But they might have thought that the game would just peter out. That’s how we got our chances, because we can gamble. With a bit of luck, we could have scored another goal or two, and it would have looked better. But we can also be proud of ourselves.
DFB.de: Which Borussia Dortmund opponents impressed you the most?
Berger: The whole midfield with Pascal Groß, Emre Can and Julian Brandt. Brandt in particular is my favourite player in Germany. I even got his jersey after the game. It was a very good day for me in that respect too.
DFB.de: And then his loss of the ball led to your team’s goal…
Berger: Exactly, he also involuntarily initiated our goal (laughs)But it was otherwise great to see how Brandt turned in the right direction with one touch, and his light-footedness with and without the ball is also brutally strong. He scored the 3-0 superbly, took the ball down really well and easily pushed the ball into the goal. There’s a reason he’s playing where he is today. For me, it was an absolute highlight to play against him.
DFB.de: Normally, the host team can count on the support of the crowd in the DFB Cup. But this time, the majority of the spectators were Dortmund fans. Did that make it feel like an away game?
Berger: It felt like an away game, that’s for sure. With the power that Dortmund brought to the stands, we knew that beforehand. But it was also very cool. I really enjoyed playing in front of so many spectators. We wouldn’t have been able to do that in Lübeck. I’m very happy that we were able to play the game in the Volksparkstadion. It was great fun.
DFB.de: And what happens next in the Regionalliga Nord?
Berger: We started the season with a defeat, but then recently won against VfB Oldenburg. As great as the cup game was, we still have to get back to everyday league life quickly. We can’t let the next week or two go to sleep and reminisce. That was a great day, but from now on we have to concentrate fully on the next task at SV Todesfelde.
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