“I am ready to be in the starting XI again!”

In an interview with Javairô Dilrosun, the young Dutchman spoke about the upcoming game in Frankfurt, valuable tips from U23 coach Ante Čović and the development of his hometown club Ajax.

In the first half of the season, experts and fans were astonished as Javairô Dilrosun picked up five scorer points in his first four Bundesliga games. The 20-year-old impressed with his carefree, attacking style of play. However, he was sidelined with injuries from mid-November, only returning this spring. Hertha’s number 16 celebrated his return to the pitch and after three cameo appearances, Dilrosun is looking forward to doing more. In an interview with Javairô Dilrosun, the young Dutchman spoke about the upcoming game in Frankfurt, valuable tips from U23 coach Ante Čović and the development of his hometown club Ajax.

Herthabsc.de: Javairô, it is no secret that you enjoy watching TV series. At the moment, the eighth and final season of ‘Game of Thrones’ is out. Have you been watching it?

Dilrosun: (laughs) No, I don’t watch it. A while ago, I watched an episode but after 30 minutes I turned it off. I’m just not a big fan of fantasy series. Besides, I also don’t want to watch the past seven seasons.

Herthabsc.de: Against Hannover, you came onto the pitch to help the team’s losing streak end. After losing five games in a row, we finally got a point again. Who is the current morale in the changing rooms?

Dilrosun: Once you have lost five games in a row, your confidence is not great. We had chances to win the game. The fact that we got at least one point was good for us. We need to work forward from this. We simply need to improve.

Herthabsc.de: At the start of the season, you played two games for the U23s in order to get some game time and find your rhythm. Then you put in some superb performances in the Bundesliga before picking up some injuries. You then returned and played two games in the Regionalliga and now have came on in the last three Bundesliga games. How valuable is it playing for the U23s and getting match practice when returning from an injury?

Dilrosun: It is always important for the body, to get some minutes under the belt when you have been injured for a long time. It doesn’t matter which team you play for, as long as you get minutes. I feel good again now and very fit. I am ready to start games in the Bundesliga again!

Herthabsc.de: What advice has the U23s coach Ante Čović given you?

Dilrosun: Ante is a super guy! Every time I see him, he is always nice to me and tells me I am a good player. When I came last summer, I thought that I would immediately play with the first team. However, I started off with the U23s and was a little disappointed. Ante said to me that I should always play with a smile on my face and that everything would be okay as long as I work hard, stay true to myself and maintain my style of play.

Herthabsc.de: With a fresh and attacking style of play, Ajax have shocked the football world. Have you been following the club’s development?

Dilrosun: Some of my friends play for Ajax. I message Donny Van de Beek and Noussair Mazraoui regularly and we always wish each other luck. When I have time, I always watch their matches.

Herthabsc.de: How surprised are you that they have got to the semi-finals of the Champions League. They have knocked out Real Madrid and Juventus as well as drawing with Bayern Munich twice during the group stages.

Dilrosun: To be honest with you, I am not that surprised that they have been playing so well this season. I know that the lads can go all the way. However, it is clear in the champions league that they are one of the smaller teams. It is a huge thing for them that they are in the semi-final. I am convinced that they have a chance against Tottenham.

Herthabsc.de: We now play Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (27/04/19, 15:30 CEST) and they will be difficult to beat at home. However, they lost their first game of 2019 against FC Augsburg 3-1. How can we get a victory on the weekend?

Valentino Lazaro in the background: Jav is the key to victory! (both laugh)

Dilrosun: We have to believe in our strengths. Against big clubs like Borussia Mönchengladbach or Bayern, we have won this season and we also managed to get a draw in Dortmund. Anything is possible in Frankfurt!