Kevin, if somebody had told you before the season started that you’d have four Bundesliga appearances under your belt in the first five games, what would you have said?

I would never have thought that it would move this quickly. Last year I was in the squad a couple of times, but the way this season has gone so far is really wonderful, of course.

Let’s look at your start to the season step by step. The first task was a home game against Dortmund at the Dreisamstadion, albeit with the Under 23s. You scored twice...

... but we lost 5-2, so it was anything but good, even if scoring two was an important moment for me personally.

A week later, Dortmund returned to the Dreisamstadion, but this time it was the first team.

And we won the game, even if I didn’t score this time (laughs). The feeling was a lot better than after the previous week’s game. I’ll remember my debut for the rest of my life.

What was going through your head when you were waiting to come on from the sidelines?

In the moment, you don’t really think too hard about the fact it’s your debut. You’re fully focused, but afterwards you think about it more and more and realise to yourself: that was my Bundesliga debut! My phone was completely full of messages from my family and friends too, of course.

After your debut there were two more substitute appearances in Stuttgart and against Köln, and then you made your first start in Mainz last weekend. When did you find out it was happening?

We had an 11 vs 11 training match and I was in the starting lineup then, but the coach also made it clear to me. I also hadn’t pinned down a starting spot by then, just tried to train as well as possible. The day before the game, he then told me I would be in from the start and that I work hard and well, but need to be calmer on the ball. He wanted me to play the same way as I normally do.

Let’s talk about your background – you started your career with Babelsberg in your hometown of Potsdam, but then moved away for the first time.

I moved to Cottbus as a scholar in the Under 14s, but I went home every weekend – the train home was only two hours. It was a very important time for me, but was also fun. I learned a lot, and in the boarding house I had a lot of friends – it was a good time for me there (smiles).

When did it first become clear to you that you could be a professional footballer?

I always had that dream, but to be honest, I didn’t really concentrate on moving forward in my career in Cottbus. I just wanted to play and have fun – everything else came after that. The first time I thought about it seriously was in the Under 16s. At that time I considered what the right steps up for me were.

You then moved here to SC in 2018.

It’s well known that the youth system here at Freiburg is very good, and the first team plays in the Bundesliga, of course. When I got here, I very quickly realised how much of a family the club is. The people are all really nice; you can talk really well with anyone. At the start, I had to get used to the language very quickly, but now I understand everything (laughs).

Have there been things that have surprised you about Freiburg?

I already knew that Freiburg was a small but pretty place. I’m more used to Berlin, but I have to say, there are some really beautiful spots.

You’ve also settled in well in terms of your game here. Did it help to have five extra games with the U23s before coming to the first team?

Definitely, although I have to say that all of the guys from the first team have taken me under their wings really well. For me, it’s an honour to be able to play with them.

What do you need to work on now?

I need to perform consistently and work on a lot of things off the pitch, like strength training and things like that. As well as that, of course, I need to give every training session my full effort and take the advice the older players give to me on board.

We continue in the Bundesliga on Sunday with the home game against Augsburg. What are you expecting?

Augsburg are coming into their stride, but we naturally want to stay unbeaten. We’ll go into the game with our chests puffed out, and if we all dig in, we can win.

It’s also the last Bundesliga home game in the Dreisamstadion. Will that give the team extra motivation?

Of course. I’m happy that I got to experience home games some here before we move to the new stadium. I’m also sure that our fans will also give their all in the last game there. We’re all ready.

Interview: Marcel Burger

Photo: Achim Keller