"I'm able to play freely!"

Marvin Plattenhardt was standing over the corner, with Dodi Lukébakio ready to receive it as a short option against SC Freiburg. Our captain decided to play it long, with SC clearing it and going on the counter. Instead of moaning about not having gotten the ball, our number 14 immediately began sprinting back into his own half to defend against Ritsu Doan. That moment served as a symbol of the growth the 25-year-old has undergone in the last months, realising the importance of helping out in defence as well as in attack. “I have learned more, I have different ideas in my head and feel more passion to play. That’s mainly due to the fact that we have a really good team this season, and the lads really help me on the pitch – that changes everything!” is how Lukébakio explains his current form. Ahead of the game in Leipzig (15.10.22, 18:30 CEST), herthabsc.com spoke to the winger about facing criticism, improvement and trust.

herthabsc.com: Dodi, do you remember what happened in the 67th minute against Freiburg?
Lukébakio: (thinking) Was that when Suat scored? Oh no, wait, that was when I sprinted back to defend against Doan (laughs).

herthabsc.com: Correct, and you earned a round of applause from the fans as a result…
Lukébakio: Oh, really? I didn’t even notice that, I had such tunnel vision!

herthabsc.com: What do moments like that mean to you as an attacking player?
Lukébakio: Moments like that always give me an extra push. In that situation, after a corner for us, it was important for the entire team that we win the ball and cut off their counter-attack. If doing things like that earns you extra applause, then that just helps to motivate me even more to do it again.

herthabsc.com: You’re also in excellent form in front of goal at the moment! You scored your fourth goal of the season against Freiburg last time out – already twice as many as you managed last season. What are the reasons for your current success?
Lukébakio: I feel a lot of trust from my teammates and the coaches. I know exactly what I’m meant to do out on the pitch. Right now, things are going well. I hope it stays like that. We are on a good path, and now need to finally reward ourselves for all our hard work with a win!

herthabsc.com: This return is particularly impressive when you consider the fact that you are playing with a new front three. How well are you able to play together with Wilfried Kanga and Chidera Ejuke?
Lukébakio: Considering we have a newly-formed attack, we are already playing quite well together! It’s still early on and there’s room for improvement, but we are slowly improving. We have a good relationship out on the pitch, and need to continue rewarding ourselves with goals and assists. Things are going well with Jove, Myziane, Marco and all the other attackers as well. I’m happy to be able to play with them – we have a solid group in attack.

herthabsc.com: How much of this success can be traced back to assistant coach Vedad Ibišević, who you often played together with?
Lukébakio: Vedo works really hard! He talks a lot to us and really pushes us hard. He and the entire coaching staff try to get us to play to our limits. That’s good and is also important for us. It might be the case that people outside the dressing room don’t see it, but Vedo is really important for us.

herthabsc.com: One indication of the upward turn in your form is the joy that’s clear to see from you out on the pitch, particularly your bicycle kicks – no matter if in training, matches for us or for the national team, you seem to really enjoy pulling those out lately. Is that just a coincidence or is it on purpose?
Lukébakio: (laughs) Good eye! I’ve always enjoyed trying a bicycle or scissor kick. Even as a young boy I liked trying them, I love it! It’s not a coincidence, but I also don’t focus on it in training – it’s just an instinct and something I do naturally.

herthabsc.com: Since your return to Berlin over the summer, you have fought your way back into the team and have appeared in all 10 competitive games this season. Is that also due to Sandro Schwarz? What does he do differently compared to your previous coaches?
Lukébakio: When I returned to Berlin, I had a long conversation with Sandro. He made clear the confidence and trust he has in me. The coach is very honest in telling me what he expects from me. His role is very important to me, and things couldn’t be going better under him. He has played a big part in me feeling so happy at the minute and allowing me to play freely.

herthabsc.com: If we go full circle again, in the past you were often criticised for your defending, while this season you can often be seen tracking back and aren’t afraid to mix in a tackle now and then. Where has that come from?
Lukébakio: It’s a good question, but I have to pick out one specific part of it: the criticism towards me was justified, but people also need to understand why I was being criticised. When I joined Hertha in summer 2019, it was on the back of a €20 million transfer fee. That’s what was used to judge me. A lot of things were new here for me, and the club was also going through a hard time. It wasn’t a 100% fit for me right from the start, even if I was the team’s top goalscorer. I have learned more, I have different ideas in my head and feel more passion to play. That’s mainly due to the fact that we have a really good team this season, and the lads really help me on the pitch – that changes everything! I try to give my best for the team, which means defending as well. The coach also plays an important role here: I feel at peace and know exactly what I want. Right now, everything is a lot easier and that leads to a lot of people thinking that I’ve become a new version of myself. Based on my experiences over the last year, it’s possible to think like this. But, I want to make one thing clear, which is that we can only be successful together – something that’s working quite well so far this season!

herthabsc.com: Thank you for such an honest answer, Dodi. On Saturday, we’ll be hoping that things also go well for you away at RB Leipzig. What kind of game are you expecting and how can we manage to remain unbeaten in our sixth straight game?
Lukébakio: It will be a tough game. Everyone knows that Leipzig are a top team! We want to return home with points. The only way we will manage to do that is with the right mentality and a clear plan!