Telalovic: “I just wanted to go for it”

An interview with Borussia striker Semir Telalovic after the 2-1 defeat at VfB Stuttgart.

Semir, you were subbed on in the closing stages of the game and came close to netting the equaliser in injury time. What was that moment like from your persepective?

Telalovic: I controlled the ball with my chest and saw that my opponent was giving me a bit of space. The goalkeeper didn’t have a clear view of what was happening. I just wanted to go for it and blast a shot on goal, in the hope that it would maybe slip through or take a slight deflection and leave the goalkeeper with no chance of saving it. As soon as the ball left my foot, I thought for a moment that it was going in. Unfortunately, it didn’t and Fabian Bredlow was able to save it.

It was your first time back in the matchday squad in a while. Did you set yourself any goals for what you wanted to achieve if you did come on?

Telalovic: Of course, you’re always hoping to be subbed on when you’re part of the matchday squad. After two cameos against FC Augsburg and RB Leipzig, I was hoping to get to feature for a third time as soon as possible. I’m really happy to have been able to feature again in the Bundesliga. I’m always extremely happy when I get give this opportunity. Especially as a striker, you always want to try to impact the game when you come on. Unfortunately, I wasn’t quite able to and as a team, we lost the game.

You’ve scored an impressive 12 goals and contributed 13 assists for the U23s this season and have also broken into the first-team squad. What do you have to say about your development this season?

Telalovic: If you’d have told me ahead of this season that I’d play three times in the Bundesliga, then I wouldn’t have believed you. Through my performances for the U23s, I had the feeling that I was improving from day to day and getting closer to meeting my full potential. I then made the leap to the first team and was able to get a few minutes in the Bundesliga. Things couldn’t get any better for me. I look forward to training with the boys every day and of being able to give it my all.