He led VfB as captain in their last Champions League appearance. Before the upcoming draw, Matthieu Delpierre looks back with us on his experiences in the premier class.
Matthieu Delpierre in a duel with Luis Fabiano from FC Sevilla (4th matchday of the group phase 2009/2010, final score 1:1)
Hello Matthieu. The Champions League draw will take place in Monaco on Thursday. For the first time since the 2009/2010 season, VfB will be taking part. As a player, you played for VfB in the premier class in the 2006/2007 and 2009/2010 seasons – even as captain at the time. How important are the Champions League participations for you?
Matthieu Delpierre: “The two Champions League appearances are very important to me. As a footballer, you work towards being able to enter this stage. The first time I took part, I missed the preliminary round of the group stage due to an injury and we were eliminated after the group stage, so the second participation, combined with my captaincy, was a huge thing for me. Being able to compete with the best footballers in Europe and the world is the greatest thing you can achieve as a footballer.”
What does it feel like to lead your team as captain into a sold-out stadium and hear the Champions League anthem?
Matthieu Delpierre: “You are very proud at this moment, especially that your good performances in the previous season have brought you here. For us players, just being on the pitch was already an achievement. Once you are there, you naturally want to represent the club well and show that you belong there.”
In the round of 16 of the 2009/2010 Champions League season, VfB faced defending champions FC Barcelona
In the 2009/2010 season, you reached the round of 16 as group runners-up and were up against FC Barcelona, arguably the best team in the world at the time. You played a strong first leg, took the lead and even had a chance of winning. What do you remember about that round of 16?
Matthieu Delpierre: “The games against Barcelona were a highlight for all of us. It was a great success for us to even get to the round of 16. Even if the return match didn’t go as hoped, the match will remain a fond memory for all fans and players. We were very proud after the 1:1 draw in Stuttgart. You can’t forget the incredible atmosphere in the home game, it was unique. We were of course hoping for a miracle before the game in Barcelona, but we quickly realized that it would be difficult. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi had one of his many good days (laughs).”
What do you expect from the new format of the Champions League, which from this season will be played in a league of 36 teams instead of a group phase with eight groups of four teams each? And which opponents do you want VfB to face?
Matthieu Delpierre: “I’m expecting an exciting Champions League season. Eight games against eight different opponents make it very interesting for the clubs and players. You get to see a lot of Europe, but you also have to prepare yourself anew for each game. I hope for big games for VfB against opponents like Real Madrid or Manchester City. It doesn’t matter whether we play them at home or away. It will be special in any case.”
Cover photo: VfB’s last starting eleven in a Champions League match
Top row from left: Georg Niedermeier, Jens Lehmann, Matthieu Delpierre, Pavel Pogrebnyak, Sami Khedira.
Bottom row from left: Stefano Celozzi, Zdravko Kuzmanovic, Christian Träsch, Cacau, Aleksandr Hleb, Christian Molinaro.
