"We need a top performance"

David Alaba talks to herthabsc.de about his friends at Hertha, the fascination with US sports and the upcoming match in Berlin.

Four-times DFB Cup winner, five-times German champion, as well as a UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup winner – not a bad record for a 24-year-old. There’s no doubt that David Alaba has already picked up more medals than most top players in their entire careers. The talents of the young full back, who has been named Austrian Footballer of the Year for six years in a row, were clear from a young age. At just 15 Alaba made his professional debut for Austria Vienna’s second team. Since then he has become a key figure at Germany’s most successful club, FC Bayern München.

Ahead of the meeting between Bayern and Hertha BSC on Saturday (18.02.17), herthabsc.de spoke with Alaba about the current season, his friends at Hertha Mitchell Weiser and Sinan Kurt, as well as the recent Champions League match against Arsenal.

herthabsc.de: Mr Alaba, on Wednesday Bayern München beat Arsenal 5-1 in the UEFA Champions League last 16. How would you sum up the huge victory?

David Alaba: We played a very good game, especially in the second half. We did exactly what we had set out to do and what the coach had asked of us. We’re in a great position with this result going into the second leg. Now it’s about carrying the performance into the next game.

herthabsc.de: Bayern extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to seven points ahead of RB Leipzig on the last matchday. What do you say to fans and experts when the try to congratulate on a fifth consecutive title already?

Alaba: We continue to take things game by game, as our competitors definitely won’t let us take things easy. We want to continue on this path and when the title is confirmed, then I’ll be happy to accept congratulations!

herthabsc.de: Even though Bayern has a chance to win all three competitions, the talk right now is that Bayern are no longer as dominant as in recent years. What do you make of this assessment?

Alaba: I see it differently. We are now unbeaten in ten games. We are working very hard and the atmosphere in the team is very good. We are fully focused on our goals and such claims are not relevant to us.

herthabsc.de: You’re a big fan of US sports. What fascinates you about basketball and American football and which parallels are there to football?

Alaba: American football is a completely different type of sport, the same goes for basketball. You can’t compare them to football. But of course, things like team spirit and cohesion, as well as tactics, are important for success in any field.

herthabsc.de: There will be no reunion for you with Mitchell Weiser and Sinan Kurt on the pitch on Saturday. Have you been more in contact with them more in recent days?

Alaba: Mitch and I are very close friends, so our contact in the build-up to Saturday will be no different to usual. It’s a shame that he is injured and that we won’t see each other on the pitch. The same goes for Sinan.

herthabsc.de: Hertha BSC have suffered a few setbacks in recent weeks. What are your expectations for the game?

Alaba: Hertha are tough opponents with a very good team and lots of very good individuals. They have been in the top third in the table for 18 months or so no and our matches have always been tough battles. For that reason, we will need to put on a top performance on Saturday to get the win.