“Wow, the Bundesliga – amazing!”

After twelve years at Hertha BSC, Fabian Lustenberger is saying goodbye. In his final big interview, the defender spoke about the early days, friendships and unforgettable games.

In sports journalism, many phrases are used excessively or are thrown around too often. In Fabian Lustenberger’s case, one of them is certainly justified: after 12 years and over 300 appearances for the club, it will be the end of an era for the defender at the end of the season. When Hertha face Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday (18/05/19, kickoff 15:30 CEST), the 31-year-old will pull on the blue and white jersey one last time. It is the club that he has spent almost his entire career to date with. The club which he played for in Europe, but was also relegated twice with. The club at which he has played under multiple coaches. The club which he would have represented many more times, were it not for some injury setbacks.

When Lustenberger joined the club in 2007 on the wish of then-coach Lucien Favre, many people only saw a blonde, curly haired kid. At that time, his current head coach Pál Dárdai was still his teammate, Salomon Kalou had just completed his debut season at Chelsea FC and Arne Maier was an 8-year-old about to join the club’s youth system. Twelve years later, a leading figure of the squad, who has always been there for the team and gave everything for the club, will say goodbye to his adopted home, and all on good terms. “I am and always will be a Herthaner,” said the number 28 and Fussballgot at the start of the year after his decision was announced. The reasons for this are understandable - his wife and three children have lived in Switzerland, in the Lucerne area, since 2017, and Lustenberger will link up with nearby team BSC Young Boys as of next season. A few days ahead of his final competitive appearance, Lustenberger said farewell as he gave an interview to the club’s media team, who he surprised with currywurst and pretzels. Part 1:

Fabian Lustenberger on…

… his early days in Berlin: When I joined Hertha BSC in 2007 and sat in the press room with Dieter Hoeneß, I would never have dreamt that I would stay at the club for twelve years. As a 19-year-old, I came to Berlin and just though, “wow, the Bundesliga – amazing!” At home in Switzerland, watching the Bundesliga on a Saturday evening was like a must-do. My mum always put the food on the table right in front of the television – there was no discussion. The Bundesliga was always the big dream and I could fulfil that here. It was impossible to plan to stay for twelve years – in life, you can’t plan the next twelve years.

… his favourite place in Berlin: That’s a tough one. It sounds a bit cheesy, but I’ve always felt very comfortable at the Olympiastadion. I also count the training pitch and my home amongst my favourite places. The city is just so diverse and anyone can live here. Personally I don’t have just one place. I have to more of an area – the surroundings which I’ve always explored.

…special statistics: I know that only five players have made more appearances for Hertha BSC than myself. Of course that is a very special achievement. However, I’ve not spent long enough here in Berlin to break the Blue-Whites’ appearances record. This was never something in the back of my mind. As I prepare to leave the club at the end of the season, I’m pleased with the number of appearances I have made. It shows that I have been comfortable here and have always been able to make appearances for the club.

…some of his injuries: The injuries that I have suffered are certainly not down to a ‘weaker’ body. It can happen to any player that they can break their foot. I also haven’t changed much over the course of the twelve years I’ve been here. I’ve always worked hard in rehabilitation and I have always managed to return to action in good shape. There isn’t a recent recipe for why I’ve recently been able to stay fit and avoided suffering further injuries. I’m fit, am always training and have the consistent rhythm of training. That was always an important factor for me. Naturally, it was a shame that I have missed some matches over the course of my career. In 2009, when we enjoyed a very successful season and finished fourth, I was only able to watch on from the stands whilst continuing my rehabilitation during the week. That was a very strange feeling. However, I also still have the feeling today that we deserved to have experienced an ever better season in the 2008/09 campaign.

…unforgettable matches: There have been so many great matches throughout my time here (laughs)! Are you not including the matches in the 2. Bundesliga? In that case, there are a couple less (grins). I don’t think straight away about matches in which I personally well or poorly, instead focusing on the team performance. For example, I still have very fond memories of the 6-1 win we secured against Eintracht Frankfurt shortly after promotion back to the Bundesliga. On that day in August 2013, I was captain of the team for the very first time. Another highlight that season was the 2-1 win we secured away at Borussia Dortmund as well as Marius Gersbeck making his debut in goal for Hertha. The two wins against Borussia Mönchengladbach (4-2 and 3-0 respectively) were also special.  I have never scored more than a single goal in a season so matches like this have been rare in my career. Personally, matches where the team played exceptionally have been more important. Unfortunately, there have also been matches to forget, such as the 5-0 defeat in Leipzig a few weeks ago and the relegation play-off against Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2012 (4-3 aggregate defeat). I was injured for this match but it was horrible to have to watch this defeat. I have certainly made some poor performances during my time here but I never want to dwell on these matches. As a professional footballer, you have to find a way to deal with setbacks. I never wanted to allow myself to hang myself in shame in training after a bad performance or sit down on the bench in training. When I had to hand over the captain’s armband to someone else, this only affected me for a few days. That certainly wasn’t an easy thing to accept but the good thing was that I was able to lead the team without sustaining injuries and will continue to do this. I simply always wanted to help the team. That was my guiding principle.

…the match away at 1860 München when you had to play in goal: I saw that goalkeeper Marco Sejna had to leave the pitch. Head coach Markus Babbel gesticulated from the sidelines that he wanted Roman Hubnik to go in goal. However, I thought since he was one of the taller players in the team, he could still score headers from corners. Consequently, I took the goalkeeping gloves and put on the kit. I benefited from a stroke of luck when the first 1860 shot struck the bar but then I went on to make two or three saves. We may have lost the match 1-0 but it is a cool story to look back on.

… all his teammates and current players: From a sporting point of view, Marko Pantelić was very influential. He was a phenomenon, who was always there to score goals. I have made some very good friends during my time here. I am still in contact with some of my old teammates. For example: Steve von Bergen, Valentin Stocker, Jens Hegeler, Sami Allagui or Sandro Wagner. I also know that I’ll stay in contact with Per Skjelbred after I leave. It is a fantastic feeling.

… his thoughts these days: I am already feeling a bit nostalgic,  when I get farewell gifts from fans at training or have to take farewell photos because then I realize that my time at Hertha BSC is coming to an end. It is going to be really hard to take that when I am in Switzerland, I won’t have to book any more flights to Berlin when pre-season starts. However, I am also very happy that the fans have given me these gifts as it shows that they treasure me.

… things that he will miss: I don’t know what I will miss yet. I will continue to play football so I won’t miss that. I will miss the whole environment here though. I will probably miss Berlin as well. This city has been amazing and you can be so spontaneous here. It will be different in Switzerland. I will be able to explain it more in six months. I am looking forward to the new challenge with BSC Young Boys and returning to my homeland.

… his aims with his new club: If you go to Switzerland having been a Bundesliga player for a long time, you have a reputation. I’d like to live up to it. I believe that I have taken this step at the right time. It is better to go now when I am still in good condition and I can help the team, even when I can’t play a role on the pitch. No one knows when you will end your career. People can see that I have given everything during the twelve years that I have been here, also in my last season. In a sporting way and human way, now is the right time. I am planning to be a centre-back at Young Boys. With the Swiss champions we will be in the Champions League qualifying rounds. It would of course be a huge highlight if we could get into the group stages. It is a shame that Steve von Bergen is retiring. He would have helped me a lot at the start and would have integrated me in quickly. However, it is also good for him to end his career after winning two league titles as captain.

… his last competitive game (18/05/18, 15:30 CEST) against Bayer 04 Leverkusen: We will see what happens on Saturday. If I’m honest, I don’t know what to expect. I only now that the club will give me a farewell before the game. I will let myself be surprised. But I will definitely express my gratitude. That will be a special moment. I will be with my son and that will be very emotional.

… twelve years at Hertha BSC: That is such a long time to be at a club that I won’t have enough time to go into detail. It has been a great time here and I will always think back happy memories. Playing for a club for such a long time only works if the players fits in well with the club and its development. That has been the case with me. I could keep going but my family situation has changed. Twelve years playing for a club requires loyalty but also the right feeling. I am very happy to have spent twelve years here.

… the future of Hertha BSC: I think that Hertha are prepared well for the future. I am excited to see what happens with the team for next season, who comes in and out. The character of the team and the club is ready. I will be following the ‘Old Lady’ from Switzerland. I know Ante Čović quite well and he has done very well with the U23s. I hope that him and the team can further develop over the summer and to start next season well!

...his plans after his career: I don't know what I'll be doing in four or five years. My body still allows me to perform at my highest level, although it takes a little longer for me to recover after games. I will more than likely stay involved in football once my career is over. I have collected a lot of different experiences throughout my career that I would like to pass on. I'll definitely get a coaching licence, although I don't know if I'll ever become a head coach. Maybe I'll work with youngsters. Who knows if I'll return to Hertha in ten years? I could see myself coming back, as Hertha will have a special place in my heart.