Embolo: “We have used the time effectively”

Breel Embolo talks about his injury, the new Switzerland head coach and Borussia’s current situation

Breel, at the start of this week you travelled with the national team to meet your new coach, Murat Yakin. What were your first impressions of him?

Breel Embolo: He came across very well. I already knew him as he was my first coach when I became a professional. He called me up to the first team at FC Basel. We worked together for three or four months before that summer. That’s all a long time ago now, however. It was nice to see him and I am looking forward to working with him again. I think we will have a lot of fun, and hopefully we can take the next step. Every new coach brings change and starts things afresh, so we will learn new things and implement them.

You have been back in training with the team at Borussia for a few days now. How are you feeling at the moment?

Embolo: I had a muscle injury, which means that you have to take things day by day. I feel really good right now though. Fortunately my body hasn’t reacted to anything I’ve done so far, so over the last few days I have been a bit more active in training and generally a bit more involved. I am very optimistic. It has been a long time out for me and I definitely imagined the start of the season differently, but I’m getting there slowly. I’m working hard every day to get back to full fitness.

Preseason under Adi Hütter, also a new head coach, took place during your time out injured.

Embolo: Of course that was and still is something that really annoyed me, but you never know what’s going to happen in this life. You always have to look ahead and work hard. I still have enough time to show what I can do. Thankfully I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I really can’t wait to be fully back with the team, travelling, playing and training. The hardest thing is not being able to help the team.

Did this international break come at just the right time for you in terms of working on your comeback?

Embolo: Yes and no. As a footballer you always want to play, whether that is for your country or your club, and so when you have to miss out it does hurt. The international break means that I don’t miss more games in the Bundesliga, but I have to miss three Switzerland matches and two of those are important World Cup qualifiers. But we have a good squad so I’m not too worried, and I can use the time right now, which is very important. My team is Borussia and I want to get back on the pitch as soon as possible. If you give everything for your club, then that also benefits the national team. That’s why it’s good that I can use these two weeks to – hopefully – make sure I’m back on the pitch soon.

Do you think that this break came at a good time for the team, after losses at Leverkusen (4-0) and Union Berlin (2-1)?

Embolo: Yes, I think so. Every match is a new opportunity. We haven’t started the season as well as we’d have hoped, especially since the first game against Bayern, but that’s football sometimes. You can go through periods like that. Now we have to analyse and discuss everything and we will get back on track. We also had a few injuries at the start of the season, and in the Leverkusen game that list, unfortunately, got longer. It’s hard for coaches and players to build confidence, and to find that solidity as a team. We have had two weeks now and used the time well. I’m now in my third year here and I am convinced by the quality in our squad. I’m not worried as I know we will find our form again. We will work together and go for everything, and those are the most important things. Then I’m sure we’ll get back to winning ways.

Your next test is at home against Bielefeld. What kind of match are you expecting?

Embolo: They are always a tough opponent to play against. Last season we put in two good performances against Bielefeld, but they have a new coach, whose influence you could see from when he first arrived. He’s had a bit to time to work with his new team and improve things further and they have also made three or four good transfers this year. We have to focus on ourselves and make sure we implement what the coach has told us and what our strengths are. Home matches are there to be won and we will do everything to make sure the three points stay here with us.