In an interview, Ramy Bensebaini looks ahead to the upcoming DFB-Pokal match against FC Oberneuland, his most recent appearance in defensive midfield and the excitement for the Champions League.
Ramy, after six weeks of pre-season, your first competitive match of the new season awaits on Saturday. You missed the majority of pre-season last year. What were the last few weeks like for you?
Bensebaini: Pre-season was very good, everything went extremely well for me. I remember that I only joined a few days before the opening match of the season against Schalke last year. But, this season I’ve been able to take part in everything, which feels great.
You will face FC Oberneuland in the DFB-Pokal on Saturday. Have you heard of that team before?
Bensebaini: I don’t know the team, and don’t know how they play. But we will definitely do plenty of video analysis and prepare ourselves for the match.
What are you expecting from the game?
Bensebaini: We’re all expecting it to be a difficult game. Our opponents play in the fourth division, so they will also be in top shape. They’re probably also not bad out of possession as well. As a result, it will not be easy. But, we will make sure that it goes well for us.
How much experience do you have with playing in cup matches, where professional sides face off against non-league teams?
Bensebaini: I’ve played in matches like this against lower-division teams in France before. We didn’t get knocked out, but they were still very tough games. We were up against a small, lower-division side whose fans were really loud. The pitch was also awful. Luckily, we’re spared this on Saturday as the match is taking place at BORUSSIA-PARK.
You played as a defensive midfielder during the final pre-season friendly against Venlo. What do you think of that position?
Bensebaini: I actually do enjoy playing that position. Before I joined the academy in Algeria, I played in central midfield for eight or nine years as a kid. However, defensive midfield is definitely not my fixed position in the team. But, I did feel at ease playing there. I tried to create space for myself so that I wasn’t behind the action. I don’t like it when my back’s to the ball.
After the cup game, we begin our Bundesliga campaign straight away with a big game against Dortmund. Will we see just how strong Borussia are right from the opening matchday?
Bensebaini: We’re all happy that our season is getting back underway. It will definitely be a tough task in our first game. I don’t have to explain just how strong Dortmund are. But, for now we’re focused on the DFB-Pokal. We need to win that first, and then we’ll talk about Dortmund.
Do you know what’s happening on 1st October in Nyon?
Bensebaini: On 1st October in Nyon? No.
That’s when the Champions League group stage draw is taking place. Do you have a dream opponent in mind?
Bensebaini: Ah, that date had completely slipped my mind. I would like to play against Real Madrid, Manchester City or Stade Rennes, against my old teammates. That would be cool.
You could be making your Champions League debut this season. Is that a dream come true for you?
Bensebaini: Yes, it makes me very proud. Playing in this competition is what you dream of as a little boy. I’ve already played twice in the Europa League, now I’m lucky enough to be playing in the Champions League with Borussia. It’s still a ways off, but we’re looking forward to it already and can’t wait to get underway. I think that we’ll be ready for it.
What do you make of the fact that the team has remained virtually unchanged from last season?
Bensebaini: It’s obviously a plus if you stay together as a team and go into the new season with the same players. Obviously, there’s going to be some changes made to the squad and the staff. As players, we’re happy that we’ve been able to stay together. We have prepared well. We have a tough season ahead of us along with playing in three separate competitions, but we’re ready.
