News
Nico Schlotterbeck: "I was at Lake Phoenix when the national team coach called"
Nico Schlotterbeck on the call-up:
"I got the call from the national team coach on Sunday, several hours before it was official. I was at Lake Phoenix with my family at that moment and was hugely delighted about the call."
…doubts about the call-up:
"Internally, I had a lot of doubts. I had not previously been called up by Julian (editor's note: Nagelsmann). So you do think about it. I've tried to give everything in the final weeks and months and am very happy to be involved. It is something special to play a home EURO. The 2006 World Cup was the first major event that I experienced. There was a sense of euphoria across the country that we now want to experience again."
…the next two months:
"I had a serious injury three and a half years ago. At that point I considered: How does the journey continue? Will you still make it in the Bundesliga? In recent years, things have progressed rapidly for me: I've played at a World Cup, am at one of the biggest clubs in Europe and have the opportunity to play a home EURO. I'm very happy about that and I'm proud of my path."
…the preparations for the Champions League final:
"After Darmstadt, our full focus will be on Wembley. You get a lot of ticket requests from friends, you want to get that settled quickly. It is the biggest match in club football. People are talking about it, whether you like it or not. The city is in a feverish mood. It will be a great game, but let's tackle the match on Saturday first. It needs to be a really great farewell for Marco (editor's note: Reus). We'll also have to perform in footballing terms so that we can make him proud in his last home game."
Transcribed by Christina Reinke