A local boy, with plenty of talent as a footballer and with both feet planted firmly on the ground: academy product Yannik Keitel is the quintessential SC Freiburg player. Even if his first season as a professional wasn’t easy, the midfielder never gave up on his dream of becoming a regular starter for SCF.

Yannik, it’s been a year since you signed your first professional contract with SC Freiburg. In your opinion, how has that year gone?

Yannik Keitel: It went by very quickly, and despite the Coronavirus pandemic, it was still a good year for me. Of course we have to obey the rules like everyone else, but we were able to continue playing football - even if it had to be without the fans, which was too bad. Of course I also miss being able to hang out with my friends.

And in terms of football over the last year?

I didn’t play as much as I would have hoped to. Although things started promisingly, with me starting our first DFB-Pokal game, I had to be taken off with a knock at half time. I didn’t play much after that, and wasn’t even in the squad some games. It was weighing on me, and I had a lot of time to think about it, also due to the pandemic. I think in the end, it was important to keep a clear head and to continue having fun playing football. I managed to do that. I’m playing with a clear mind and was rewarded with two starts recently.

What exactly was going on with you during that time?

I was in a phase where I was maybe overthinking what I could do differently and tried to do too many new things. I was too tense, and was expecting too much of myself...

...maybe that was also the case ahead of the season as well? In an interview with kicker you had said that you wanted to become a regular starter...

That’s still true. That’s still my aim. Prior to the season, I had the feeling that I would be able to achieve this even earlier. That didn’t work out, but in principle, that remains the case. Therefore, there’s no reason to regret this statement (laughs).

You had a bit of a crash course on your appearances in the starting XI. You played well in Mönchengladbach and received a lot of praise, including from the coach, but you then lost against relegation candidates Bielefeld and got to witness the coach in a not-so-good mood...

...he can be in an even worse mood sometimes, believe me (grins). Despite the defeats, it was still a positive and intense experience for me. It definitely went from zero to a hundred. I was feeling good against Gladbach, and both wanted and was given the ball a lot. It was a different story in Bielefeld, who were very aggressive in their man-marking. I wasn’t really able to find my way into the game. The coach also wanted me to look to create space, instead of receiving the ball. That was also why I didn’t really have that many touches and was trying to win the ball back. Overall, I’m relatively happy with my performance in both games.

You’re still an unknown to many SC fans. Tell us a bit about yourself: what kind of a player are you, what are your strengths?

I enjoy playing a physical game, and enjoy contesting challenges. I think I possess a certain level of dynamism, and even if it’s not really my style, I am able to dribble past my opponents sometimes. I also think that I have a good understanding of how to play my way out of trouble.

You usually feature as a defensive or central midfielder, both positions that are hard to break into at SCF...

...which is definitely a challenge. At the same time, this competition helps me to continue improving, even if I obviously wish I were playing more.

Are you able to see in training why it’s so hard to break into the XI at the moment?

Chicco Höfler is a Bundesliga regular, and he’s the heart of the team. He connects us and is a great tactical strength. He also has a close relationship with the coach, which allows him to guide the team. The club also didn’t invest a lot of effort in signing Baptiste Santamaria for nothing. He covers a lot of ground, attacks often and has a strong technical ability. However, I will continue trying to break through.

Perhaps in another position? Or do you mainly see yourself as a central midfielder?

Although I’ve played as a centre-back or even as a striker in my youth, I’ve mainly been used centrally. Defensive or central midfield is my favourite position, because you’re involved in every play. But, I’m flexible and can also play at centre-back. You have a clear view of what’s happening in front of you on the entire pitch, and can maybe even direct it a bit more because you don’t have anyone behind you putting pressure on you, and have more time to play it up front as a result. I’ve played in that position at times already this season with the reserves.

Speaking of the reserves, would it be of benefit to you as a player if the team were to be promoted?

I haven’t really thought about it. I hope that it happens, of course, and it’s looking good at the moment. Playing in the 3. Liga would be good for the club because it would be easier to keep young, talented players at the club and not have to loan them out as much.

You’re often seen supporting the reserves at the Möslestadion.

I enjoy watching the team play, after all I’ve grown up with some of the lads. For example, I’ve known Sascha Risch and Enzo Leopold since we were all in the U12s.

You started your career at SCF with the U12s. You were born in the area, and likely cheered for the first team while dreaming of being the next Matthias Ginter?

Doing what Matze Ginter did, and making it from the U12s all the way to the top is definitely nice. That seemed a long way off when I first joined the club when I was 11 years old, but it was definitely something I’d always hoped for. I recently found some pictures from back then where we attended first-team training and got autographs from the players afterwards. I took pictures with the coach, with Daniel Caligiuri and Johnny Schmid. Johnny couldn’t stop laughing when I showed him those pictures recently.

Now you’re playing alongside him in the Bundesliga. When you were still playing in the academy, how often did you doubt that it would really happen?

In the beginning, I asked myself every year if I’d be cut or not. My parents were always there supporting me and were almost more nervous than I was. It was always sad when my teammates had to leave the club. When I was playing for the U15s, I was given a three-year contract which made things a bit more relaxed. Also because my parents always supported me by driving me to training and picking me up, because it would have taken a lot longer by train, and also so that my schoolwork didn’t suffer.

That seemed to work well, as you finished your A-levels with a 1.7 average. Were you able to understand how valuable your parents’ support was back then already?

As a kind I took it for granted, seeing as my parents enjoyed doing it. There were moments when I realised how much time they invested in it, seeing as they also came to nearly every away game.

You finally moved out last year then.

I’d thought about it twice, but then those plans were waylaid by the Coronavirus. My parents live in Elsass, and I would have been sitting in traffic for ages and then came the quarantine rules. Otherwise I likely wouldn’t have moved out - after all, the food at home is pretty good (grins).

So you had to learn how to cook first?

Yes, I just kind of started with the idea that practice makes perfect. In the beginning, sometimes it tasted good and sometimes not so much. I think I’ve figured it out by now. I really enjoy cutting vegetables. My girlfriend doesn’t really understand why, because she hates doing that. If she’s over at my place, then I usually end up cooking.

Do you ever feel like you’ve missed out on things due to football and that its put you under a lot of pressure?

Several of my friends have asked me that before. I was never really into partying, and was always more of an athlete and wanted to be at my full potential. I think I’ve been able to have lots of different experiences as a result. But, I never felt like I was missing out on things. You also learn, year to year, how you’re doing and the pressure adjusts accordingly. I didn’t really feel it that much, because things were moving in a positive direction for me. For others, it may have not been the case.

You had to deal with injuries every now and then. Did that ever make you doubt that you’d make it?

Definitely. There were moments where I asked myself if my body was capable of handling the heavy workload and whether or not I’d be able to achieve my dream. I made several changes, such as to my nutrition and started working out more. Training with the first team and getting used to the higher tempo there definitely gave me another boost.

Is that the end of your dealings with injuries?

When you’re young and still growing, it’s possible to overwork yourself, and that only ends once you’re done growing. I think I’ve been able to find a routine that works for me, and that my body has gotten more stable. I’ve still had some issues this season, but I’m trying to use those phases well.

How are you able to do that, if you’re not allowed to train?

I watch old game films or do some mental training where I go through specific scenarios and movements from games in order to stay sharp.

It’s fitting then that you’re studying to become a mentality coach.

It’s a very flexible online course with homework and evening seminars. It’s six months, after which I’ll be able to call myself a mentality coach. I’m mainly doing it for myself however, and am learning a lot. I think there’s a lot of potential to be explored in the area of mental strength, even if it’s definitely not for everyone. Some do better when they aren’t thinking.

Yannik, one final question: what’s it like to dream of playing in the Bundesliga for half a year, and then to have to play in front of empty, lifeless stands?

I know that the fans will return at some point. I was able to play in front of fans on my Bundesliga debut, which came in Dortmund, which was a dream come true. Otherwise, I’m still not really used to playing in front of many fans, and am very much looking forward to it. Thinking of it now, it gives me goosebumps.

Photo: Achim Keller