"We can do even more!"
"We can do even more!"
Dodi Lukébakio tells us about his short holiday, the current stage of pre-season, and his aims for the coming season.
herthabsc.de: Dodi, you are now entering your second season at the Olympiastadion. In contrast to your first year, when you were only able to join up with the team after their second training camp, you will complete a full pre-season with the club this time around. What effect does that have on your physical condition and your play?
Lukébakio: It’s unbelievably important for any football player to be able to join in at this early stage. You push for limits through the everyday grind and you raise the bar every day in training. Last year I missed out and unfortunately I felt it during the course of the season - at times it was really difficult. But if you can work as hard as we currently are then it means that you are ready for the start of the season. You can keep improving throughout the season and you can show what you can do on the pitch right to the end!
herthabsc.de: Despite the delayed end, you were Hertha’s top scorer last season. What are your aims for 2020/21?
Lukébakio: My number one priority is to ensure that the team finishes higher up in the table than last year. We can do even more and we want to improve! We have to be honest with ourselves - we had a tough time last year and didn’t play well at times. Obviously as an attacker I want to score more goals for the team. Seven goals last season were still not enough.
herthabsc.de: Last year you didn’t just score important goals, but some really stunning ones too. Your overhead kick against Hoffenheim was chosen by the fans as Hertha’s “goal of the season” – can our supporters look forward to more beauties like that one?
Lukébakio: (laughs) I hope so! It’s obviously such a great feeling to score for your team, no matter how the ball goes in. My main job is to score and help the team win, but it’s also great to be able to please the fans with skills or nice goals. That makes me even happier – moments like that are why I play football.
herthabsc.de: You certainly managed that last season. You are all working hard and are back in the thick of preseason training after a few days rest. What’s training like under Bruno Labbadia and his coaching staff?
Lukébakio: We want to work hard and get better as a group. It’s going well and I think that we are ready to take a step forward as a team, so I am really excited for the new season. I can’ wait to finally get going again! (laughs)
He said...
[>]My main job is to score, but it makes me even happier to please the fans. That’s why I play football.[<]
herthabsc.de: During the break you spent some time with your teammates Matheus Cunha and Dedryck Boyata…
Lukébakio: ...yeah, we spent a few days together. Where exactly we went remains our secret, though. (grins) But I can definitely say that I love spending time with them both and that it’s a lot of fun to share a pitch with ‘Dedo’ and Matheus.
herthabsc.de: You have already described 'Dedo' as like an older brother – do you do a lot of things together? Can you describe what he means to you as a teammate and as a friend?
Lukébakio: He is an important reference point for me. ‘Dedo’ is older and has already experienced a lot in his career, so he can help me a lot with good advice and suggestions. I learn from him and can use his advice in certain situations. That helps me and makes me feel at ease, so I’m very happy to have him by my side as a teammate!
herthabsc.de: Let’s get back to talking about football – things are back underway after last week’s breather. In Tuesday’s friendly in Amsterdam you played in front of a crowd for the first time in ages. What are your thoughts on the Ajax match?
Lukébakio: It was an unbelievable feeling to be able to play in front of fans again. We need them there, as without the fans it’s not easy to play the same exciting football that we all love! On the pitch it was a tough, demanding game. We knew that Ajax were a very good opponent who are very strong with the ball. It was a good test and we shouldn’t beat ourselves up about such a narrow loss. We still have a little time to work on the little details and to make sure that we are fully prepared for the season.
herthabsc.de: On Saturday (29.08.20) the squad will now play just one friendly against PSV Eindhoven. Head coach Labbadia has made it absolutely clear just how important this week’s matches are. What do you expect from this game?
Lukébakio: The beginning of the new season is creeping ever closer, so it’s obviously an important game for us. If we keep working with this same focus then I am absolutely convinced that we can achieve great things this season. The 90 minutes against PSV will help us all on our way to success. One thing is clear – when we play, we play to win!