In an interview, Borussia’s full-back Luca Netz discusses his first home game of the season, his former club Hertha BSC and the atmosphere in the dressing room.
Luca, you missed the season opener at BORUSSIA-PARK against Hoffenheim a fortnight ago due to injury. How excited are you for your first home game?
Netz: Obviously, I can’t wait to play in front of the Borussia crowd again after such a long time. Coming back from a summer off is always a great feeling.
What do you always look forward to the most at home games?
Netz: I look forward to the fans’ chants most of all; before the match, during the warm-up and during the game. It gives me goosebumps, especially when the stadium is filled rings around the stadium.
You’re going up against your former club, Hertha. How do you have to adjust for Friday evening?
Netz: Hertha were unlucky to get knocked out of the DFB-Pokal and the first two games of the season could have gone better for them. Nevertheless, they have plenty of good players, particularly up front. We will have to be really focused against them. It’s important that we get stuck into the challenges and keep the spaces tight. If we can do that, we can impose our style of play and it wouldn’t allow them into those one-on-one positions too often.
What do you think are Hertha’s strengths and weaknesses?
Netz: I can’t judge their weaknesses. I’ve been away too long to do that. But Hertha definitely have their strengths. Players like Dodi Lukebakio bring a lot of pace to the game and have some serious individual quality. In addition, the Berliners have plenty of new signings who have brought a breath of fresh air to the side.
You’ve been at Borussia for exactly a year now. What do you like about the club in particular?
Netz: Of course Borussia is a special club with its fans and amazing traditions. Mönchengladbach as a city lives for football more than anything else, which, for me, is shown by the fact that I am focused on the club and the game rather than anything outside of football.
What is the atmosphere in the dressing room like and who do you get along with best?
Netz: The atmosphere is great. Everyone is feeling good and laughing lots, both off the pitch and in training as well as during the sessions in the weight room. I get along so well with all my teammates. In any team, it’s normal to get along better with one person than with another. The younger players perhaps hang out with each other a bit more. Nevertheless, they still have good exchanges with the experienced players.
