Dortmund's Weigl aims for DFB Cup success to cap memorable week
It has been a memorable week for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Weigl.
On Saturday, the 20-year-old enjoyed a Bundesliga record 214 touches of the ball against 1. FC Köln, breaking Xabi Alonso's previous best-mark of 204 – set against the same opponents in September 2014.
Then on Monday, Joachim Löw called Weigl into his 27-man provisional squad for UEFA EURO 2016, meaning that the former TSV 1860 Munich player could make his international debut in the pre-tournament friendlies against Slovakia or Hungary, and is in contention to make the cut for the final 23.
Any remaining doubts the Bundestrainer had as to whether he should include Weigl would have been assuaged the youngster's display against the Billy Goats, the type of tempo-setting performance he has been producing time and again over the course of a superlative maiden top-flight campaign.
"After conversations I'd had over the last few weeks I had the feeling that Julian had a realistic chance of being involved," said Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke. "It's completely deserved and I'm very pleased for him. He has a great future ahead of him if he keeps his feet on the ground, which I’m sure he will."
"The moment I got the call was indescribable," said Weigl. "I was obviously absolutely delighted and was jumping for joy all over the house! It's always been a little dream of mine to be part of the national team and obviously I'm really looking forward to it, but the primary focus at the moment has to be on Saturday."
Indeed, the remainder of Weigl’s momentous week has been spent preparing alongside his team-mates for Saturday’s DFB Cup showdown against FC Bayern München, the youngster's first taste of a showpiece occasion.
"I'm really, really looking forward to my first major final," said Weigl. "You get the sense in training that everyone is really up for it and wants to put everything they have left into it in order for it to be a success."
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