"I'm on the right track"

Berlin – A somewhat thoughtful look on his face, David Selke looks around the Olympia Stadium and waves to the fans. It was the first day of the 2017/18 Bundesliga season and Hertha BSC were drawing against VfL Stuttgart at half-time, but instead of getting ready for the next half in the dressing room, the new summer arrival was on the sidelines because of injury. Instead of listening to the manager’s team-talk in the dressing room, he gave interviews, explaining he was doing all he could to get fit again. Of course, he was happy with the team’s 2-0 victory, but he would have loved to be on the pitch himself. Almost three weeks later, the striker is one step closer to his return. “I’m on the right track,” said the Herthaner who won the U21 European Cup with Germany this summer.

In an interview with herthabsc.de Selke spoke about his comeback, life in Berlin and the clash against his former club, Werder Bremen, on Saturday.

herthabsc.de: How do you feel going into Sunday’s match against your old club?

Selke: Bremen still means a lot to me. It’s a real family-oriented club that thrives on the support of its fans and city. I enjoyed my time there, played my first Bundesliga match for the club and scored my first goal. You can feel the connection to the fans in the city. Now I’m a Herthaner though, and my main objective is to win on Sunday. Hertha are very strong at home. If we put in the performance we know we can I’m sure we can win the three points.

herthabsc.de: You’re going to miss the match with the injury that has kept you out since the beginning of July. When are we going to see you back on the pitch?

Selke: I’m not a patient man (laughs). The timing of the injury was particularly frustrating. I’m new into the team and I wanted to show what I was capable of straight away. It’s very frustrating to have to watch from the sidelines. It’s much more nerve-wracking than if I was playing.

herthabsc.de: You are a Herthaner since your transfer on July 1st. How have you integrated into the environment since your move?

Selke: I feel very good here. The boys welcomed me with open arms. There’s a great atmosphere in the dressing room and a good chemistry between the players. It’s also been an advantage that I know Mitchell Weiser and Niklas Stark from the Germany U21s.

herthabsc.de: You’ve had a little more free-time than your colleagues. What are you getting up to these days?

Selke: I’ve spent a lot of time in the area around the Savignyplatz. There are a lot of nice restaurants – Julian Schieber has recommended a few; he’s a funny guy (laughs). Julian has helped me a lot since I arrived here. Otherwise I spend time with my girlfriend, who I’ve now moved in with. I used to live with my father but now he’s moving from Leipzig to Stuttgart. I still have daily contact with him and he visits me as much as he can. My dad is always my go-to person whenever I need advice.