“I had my training camp in Berlin”
“I had my training camp in Berlin”
Berlin – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat: Now-a-days, there are various ways to keep-up-to-date with everything surrounding Hertha BSC. Even the players, above all the younger ones, use social media to give their fans and followers a glimpse into their daily lives. Niklas Stark is no exception to this. Hertha’s number five regularly lets his fans into his sporting and private life. In the last few weeks, however, the 22 year old’s social media accounts have been a little quieter; an injury, picked up in the U21s Euros win, put the defender out of action. But now he’s back.
After his first training session with the rest of the squad, Niklas Stark took some time to speak to herthabsc.de about his return, his injury break and the Euros triumph.
herthabsc.de: Nik, how do you feel after your first training session with the team?
Niklas Stark: It’s nice to be back. Of course, team training can’t be compared with individual sessions. We did definitely work in those sessions, but when your teammates are with you, it’ll a little tougher (grins). I think I need one or two more sessions. A little time is needed until my concentration is at 100 percent.
herthabsc.de: You have missed almost the whole of pre-season due to injury. What have you been doing over the past few weeks and how have you trained?
Stark: When the team went to the training camp in Schladming, I had my own here (grins). In that time, I worked well and intensely with a fitness coach and physiotherapist, twice a day. We’ve prepared my body for my return. We did everything: strength, endurance and quickness exercises.
herthabsc.de: So were you able to enjoy the summer break at least a little?
Stark: Yes, definitely. Of course, I still had a few pains and was a little limited. I couldn’t jump and play around in the pool, but I could swim a little (laughs).
herthabsc.de: You suffered the cracked rib with the U21s at the Euros…
Stark: …shortly before the end of the first group game against the Czech Republic. An opposition player fell on me and I felt he had hit me badly. We thought it was only a bruise and I tried everything to play on. However, in the end, everything worked out and it was worth it. Winning the title was the crowning moment, something very special. The moment after the final whistle was incredible, an indescribable feeling.
herthabsc.de: You weren’t at the training camps, but you were still connected to the squad. What impression has the team made on you?
Stark: It’s always a little difficult to say where the team is at ahead of the first competitive game. We’ll only see that after a few games. However, I’m confident; the boys have made a good impression. The new players have also integrated well from what I’ve witnessed.
herthabsc.de: The first competitive game, in the DFB Pokal against Hansa Rostokc on Monday, (14/08/17) is just days away. How important is it to start with a win?
Stark: Obviously very important. We want to assert ourselves and get as far in the Cup as possible, so we have to go out there fully concentrated from the very start. Rostock are ‘only’ a third-division side, but they’re a very unpleasant to play and have a lot of fans behind them. I’ll try everything to be there (laughs), but obvisouly the coach will decide. If he says it’s too early, then it’s too early.
herthabsc.de: Last season, you were an absolute first-team player. What goals do you go into the new season with?
Stark: It’s important to perform as a team. We want to showcase ourselves like we did last season and finish as high as possible. The Bundesliga is our priority. If we do badly in the league, it doesn’t help us if we get far in the Pokal or the Europa League.
On the Pokal opener
[>]We want to assert ourselves and get as far in the Cup as possible, so we have to go out there fully concentrated from the very start.[<]