"We can only win as a team"
"We can only win as a team"
Returning to your former club’s home ground for the first time is a special experience, even in times of the coronavirus pandemic. On Saturday (16 Jan 2021), Jhon Córdoba will be fighting for three points as Hertha square up against his old club, 1. FC Köln. Despite missing a chunk of the season through injury, the 27-year-old has quickly become a key player for the ‘Old Lady’. Córdoba bagged a goal in the first game of the new year at home to Schalke and will want to follow up with another against his old teammates in Cologne. "Jhon could be a really, really important player for us," exclaimed Bruno Labbadia ahead of Saturday’s clash. The head coach does not believe, however, that his Colombian forward will need any extra motivation ahead of his return to the Rhineland. "From experience, that first game against your old club is something very special, but he is always focused anyway!" Hertha’s new goalgetter spoke in an interview with the club website about Saturday’s encounter with Köln, his successful comeback from injury and his time in the capital city so far.
herthabsc.de: Jhon, on the 15th September, you signed your contract with Hertha BSC, so you’ve been with the club for exactly four months now. What do you make of your time in Blue and White so far?
Córdoba: The months I’ve spent here since arriving have been good for me personally. Unfortunately my ligament injury cost me a few weeks and several games, but on the whole I feel at home in the team and in the city – I’m glad I came to Hertha.
herthabsc.de: Your move to the capital also put you back in the Colombian national team’s focus. Can you describe to us what it means to you to be nominated for your country again?
Córdoba: The transfer was a good decision, partly because I’ve been able to play my way back onto the national team’s radar here. Being called up is a massive boost – it drives me forward every day to work hard and improve!
herthabsc.de: Back to Hertha: After your injury you were straight back to your best and scored against Schalke. How did you manage this recovery and how do you feel ahead of the Köln game?
Córdoba: I’ve been working hard with a focus on my body all season and in preseason. It’s essential in order to try and get involved as quickly as possible after an injury and start helping the team get results on the pitch. Now it is important for me to keep pushing and help the team win more games – starting this weekend.
herthabsc.de: Before we talk about Köln, shall we have another look back? In Bielefeld, the team started well and created two good chances early on, but Hertha ended up losing the game. What, in your opinion, was lacking, and how can you and the team improve in the next game?
Córdoba: The game in Bielefeld was all-round difficult. They played quite well and put us under pressure time and time again over the course of the game. It just wasn’t our day – we didn’t play to the level that was required to win this game. We need to give everything to ensure that performances like this don’t happen again – we need to work even harder. Above all, we cannot lose the belief that this can still be a good season. We have time to add to our points tally and climb the table.
herthabsc.de: Saturday is another chance to start doing so when you face 1. FC Köln. You are coming up against your former team. Is this a special game for you?
Córdoba: Most definitely! It’s always a special occasion to return to your old club as a player. My first year there was quite difficult, but in the following two seasons I enjoyed some spectacular moments and I have some wonderful experiences in the city to look back on. Overall I have a lot of fond memories of my time in Cologne (smiles).
herthabsc.de: Have you already spoken to any of your old teammates ahead of the game?
Córdoba: Of course – it has to be done! I still speak to Jorge Meré the most, I really got on well with him during my time there. We will definitely be exchanging a few more messages before we meet on the pitch… (grins).
herthabsc.de: Just like here at Hertha, the 'Billy Goats' underwent several changes in the summer transfer window. You still know them pretty well though – how do you think you and your teammates can decide the game in your favour?
Córdoba: We can only win games as a team, so we need to be a lot more compact than in the last game. If we do that on Saturday and we bring our quality onto the pitch, then we can beat my old club!
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[>]It’s always a special occasion to return to your old club as a player.. I have a lot of fond memories of my time in Cologne[<]