Salih Özcan has been at Borussia Dortmund for one year. In a media scrum, the midfielder gave his summary of last season and spoke about the team and the head coach.
Salih Özcan on the first training sessions in the USA:
“Tough, but the conditions are great. We can’t complain. We are also doing better with the jet lag.”
… the end of the season:
“It was difficult, especially in the first few weeks. I was asked one or two questions when I was with the national team. But I have moved past it and learned my lessons from it. After the match, it was a special moment when the fans stayed and gave us high fives. It was nice to see that the fans supported us. That’s not too common.”
… his personal summary of the season:
“All in all, it was a satisfying season for me. In the beginning, it was difficult to come in as a new signing and get injured. Nevertheless, I fought to earn myself a regular place in the team. I didn’t play much in the second half of the season, but in the end, it was also important that the team who had more experience playing together week-in, week-out were winning as we got towards the end of the title run-in.”
… the team spirit:
“Everyone can trust everyone. We have grown together and push each other. You can see the fire in the training sessions. In the second half of the season, we showed that we are successful when we work as a team. We should do that both before and after the winter break in order to achieve maximum success.”
… Edin Terzic:
“He has spoken with everyone in pre-season. He demands that the defensive midfielders try to keep it tight and help the defence close down any spaces.”
… his games as a defensive midfielder and box-to-box midfielder:
“I’m flexible, I can play both positions. It depends on the coach, where he sees my strengths, and which formation he wants to use.”
… potential for improvement:
“I could be a little more attacking and more dangerous in front of goal. But you can work on everything, including passing and defensive play.”
Recorded by Christina Reinke