Galvez: 'Life at Werder is perfect'
Bremen – During SV Werder Bremen’s impressive 3-0 win over Chelsea FC on Saturday, Alejandro Galvez excelled in the heart of die Grün-Weißen’s midfield. The Spanish star, who joined Werder from La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano de Madrid earlier this summer, broke up one Chelsea attack after another, ensuring Jose Mourinho’s charges returned to London empty-handed.
“I knew he’d played in defensive midfield in the past,” Werder coach Robin Dutt said of the 25-year-old, who is actually a centre-back by trade. “He can play in both positions. Basically, I’ve managed to sign two players with one transfer!”
In an exclusive interiew with bundesliga.com, Galvez spoke about his first impressions of life at the Weser-Stadion, Bremen’s pre-season preparations and the team's aims for the coming campaign.
bundesliga.com: Alejandro Galvez, a 3-0 victory against Chelsea FC makes pretty good reading, don’t you think?
Alejandro Galvez: You could say that. Considering it was a pre-season friendly against such a strong team with such great players, it was a really good result. The most important thing was that we were able to take a lot of positives from the game. The team's in good shape and we’ve made progress. That’s why we’re very happy [with the result].
bundesliga.com: What did you make of your own display?
Galvez: I’m very happy with my performance, too, even though I was playing in a position I haven’t played in too often in the past. That’s something I just have to get used to. I have to keep gaining match practice in defensive midfield.
bundesliga.com: Has Robin Dutt told you if he’s going to use you in defence or in midfield?
Galvez: He hasn’t spoken to me about that. At the moment, it looks like I’ll be playing in defensive midfield, but I still think I’ll end up playing in central defence eventually.
bundesliga.com: You’ve been at Werder for a good six weeks now. Is pre-season more demanding in Germany than in Spain?
Galvez: No, I wouldn’t say so, it just depends on which team you’re playing for. Rayo Vallecano are just as ambitious as Werder Bremen, so pre-season in Spain was also pretty tough.
bundesliga.com: Is everything else going according to plan so far?
Galvez: (laughs) The only thing I’m having problems with at the moment is the language. I’m having lessons and working hard on my German. But I’m very happy to be here in Bremen. The team and the club have supported me in every respect. The city, the surroundings, the atmosphere - everything’s perfect.
bundesliga.com: Have you noticed any other differences between football in Germany and in your home country?
Galvez: In Germany they regard football differently compared to Spain, but there aren’t really any huge differences. On the pitch, there might be certain things that are different, but I’m sure that won’t be a major problem for me.
bundesliga.com Where must Werder improve before the start of the Bundesliga season?
Galvez: I think we can still improve in all areas, whether it be in defence, midfield or in attack. So far, the team is doing a great job, but we have to keep working in a focused manner in order to be as strong as possible for the start of the season.
bundesliga.com: What targets have you set yourself and the team?
Galvez: I want to keep developing as a footballer and keep playing to the best of my ability so I can help the team. We want to improve on our overall performance last season. That’s the most important thing.
bundesliga.com: The German national team won the World Cup in Brazil earlier this summer. How highly to you rate the Bundesliga?
Galvez: For me, the Bundesliga is one of the strongest leagues in the world, as clubs like FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund have demonstrated at the highest level. The Bundesliga is one of the most important leagues there is.
Interview by Michael Reis
Find out how Werder have continued preparing for the new season at their training camp in Austria, courtesy of the Bundesliga's official YouTube channel:
