“Treated every training session like a game”

Amin Sarr joined VfL Wolfsburg on loan from Olympique Lyonnais at the end of August 2023. After more than half a year of ups and downs, the Swede finally made his full debut at Werder Bremen. In this interview, the 23-year-old talks about important lessons, street food and Fortnite.

Amin Sarr, in his first game as Wolfsburg coach, Ralph Hasenhüttl played with a front two. To what extent did that favour you?

Amin Sarr: “The new formation with two strikers suits me very well. I’m a striker who moves a lot. I like to come and get the ball but also look for the runs in behind the defence. Kevin Behrens contested a lot of challenges against Bremen, which helped me immensely. As a result, I received balls in the pockets of space and was heavily involved in the play. Overall I’d say we worked very well together.”

What was your reaction when you found out you were going to get your first start in Bremen?

Amin: “I got the feeling in training during the week that my time had come, so it wasn’t a big surprise for me. It was nevertheless a great feeling to be on the pitch from the start again after such a long time. I worked towards that moment and tried to enjoy it to the full.”

In the seven months prior to that, you were mostly only used as a late substitute. Was the move to the Bundesliga perhaps a bit more difficult than you’d imagined it?

Amin: “I knew before my loan move that the Bundesliga is a very intensive league. For that reason, I particularly worked on my physique in the first few months, in order to reach a new level. I treated every training session like a game and always gave 110 percent.”

How difficult was it for you to stay positive during this period?

Amin: “Not at all, actually. I’m a very positive person, as the lads will confirm. Regardless of whether I’m playing, in the squad or injured, I always come into the dressing room with a smile.”

What makes you happy off the pitch?

Amin: “I spend a lot of time with my friends but also like playing a bit of Fortnite. It’s a great way of staying in contact with my mates from Sweden and just switching off.”

You were born in Malmö, Sweden. What do you miss most about home?

Amin: “What immediately springs to mind is the street food in Malmö. Wherever I’ve lived in recent years, I could never find food as good as it is there.”

On Sunday, you’re playing at home against Gladbach. In the reverse fixture there was a 4-0 defeat…

Amin: “It’s high time for revenge. The win against Bremen was hugely important for our confidence and the mood within the team. If we show the same energy on the pitch as we did in Bremen, we’ll also win against Mönchengladbach.”