“We need to pool our strength”

Kevin Paredes made his first start of the 2023/24 season in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat in Augsburg and was later voted as Man of the Match by VfL fans. He also came off the bench in the DFB Cup success over RB Leipzig in midweek to help the team progress to the round of 16.

In this interview, the new USA international reflects on VfL’s matches this week, his development at the Green-and-Whites, and upcoming opponents Werder Bremen.

Kevin Paredes, congratulations on the cup win over Leipzig. What did you make of the game?

Kevin Paredes: “The team put up a great fight, from the first minute to the very last, and that’s how we earned the win. We take every game seriously and we played as a real team and collective unit.”

You look more physically robust since our last interview in March…

Kevin: “I’m actually now in even better shape physically than I was back then. The intensity is a lot higher here than it is in the MLS, and the players are a lot stronger physically. So your body needs to be in top form – and I’ve worked hard to get to where I am.”