“Those are the challenges we want” | OneFootball

In an interview, Ansgar Knauff talks about the upcoming trip to Cologne, the remaining fixtures until Christmas, lessons from wins and losses as well as the return to Camp Nou.

Ansgar, how are you? How are you feeling ahead of the final block of matches in this calendar year? “I’m feeling good! I’ve used the international break to recharge the batteries. I’m looking forward to the tasks ahead.”

There have been 16 matches in all competitions so far this season, and you’ve featured in all 16, producing four goals and two assists. Are you pleased with your personal performance so far? “Everyone would secretly like another goal or two, but overall I can be pleased. I’m happy that I’m fit and I’ve been involved in every match. Hopefully it continues that way.”

You’re only 23 yourself but with 116 Bundesliga and 43 European appearances, you’re one of the more experienced players in the squad – and one of the longest-serving at the club. Do you feel that your role is changing from year to year in that respect? “Definitely. With every match, with every year that passes, you gain experience. I feel that and try to keep developing. I want to bring that experience into the team. Overall, we’re on the right track as a team there.”

Every season has its ups and downs, and this one is no exception – particularly with a young team. You’ve produced some great performances but also had some telling setbacks. How do you assess this process? “We have the youngest team in the league again and we were given an extremely demanding set of fixtures in the Champions League. We’re playing against a lot of top European teams there. Defeats come with that, but we’ve also been able to take and learn a lot from them so far. I’m sure that both wins and defeats will help us along our way.”

What’s coming your way in the away match at 1. FC Köln on Saturday evening? How do you have to approach the match? “I’ve seen a few of Köln’s matches. They’re doing very well, they play intensive football and also have several young players. They all bring a good attitude onto the pitch. They also have good fans and a great atmosphere in the stadium, like us. It’s important we stand up to that from the start. We desperately want to take the three points.”

As well as five league matches, you have two Champions League games before Christmas. The first of those is against Atalanta BC at Deutsche Bank Park – how do you view Atalanta? “Atalanta are a strong side. It’s going to be a tough match in which we’ll need a top performance to get a result. But we’re at home and we know what it will be like here at Deutsche Bank Park. We’re going to throw everything at getting the three points to maintain our chances of progression.” 

It's tight in the table… “We’re aware of the tasks that still await us in the Champions League, so we have to make sure we pick up points at home in particular. We’ll see at the end where it gets us.”

The final Champions League match this year is obviously a very special one from an Eintracht perspective – against FC Barcelona. You were there three and a half years ago and scored a great goal. Did you have to chuckle when you were drawn away to Barcelona? “I was very pleased about this draw. It’s special for the players who were there. We’re actually playing at Camp Nou – it’s a return to the place where we experienced one of the most memorable moments of our careers. I’m massively looking forward to the match. We also know what a difficult task it will be, though. For me, Barcelona are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment, but those are exactly the challenges that we want and worked so hard for last season.”