Wolfsburg midfielder Christian Eriksen on relegation dogfight, Dieter Hecking and Harry Kane
It’s safe to say Christian Eriksen has had a turbulent debut campaign in Germany with Wolfsburg. Ahead of the Wolves’ Matchday 31 meeting with Borussia Mönchengladbach, we sat down with Denmark's most capped player to discuss the Wolves' battle for survival, Dieter Hecking, former teammate Harry Kane, and more…
Bundesliga: Beating Union Berlin must have come as a big relief after a winless run of 12 games. What was the feeling around the team after that one?
Eriksen: “Obviously, we’ve had a lot of tough games and results recently. In terms of how it felt, it was really healthy and it felt really good to win a game for the first time in a long time. You could feel that in the changing room and around the club. It was very important and a good feeling.”
Watch: Union Berlin 1-2 Wolfsburg - highlights
Bundesliga: You’ve had a lot of close games recently. What finally clicked against Union?
Eriksen: “I think we’re starting to believe in what the manager has brought in – his ideas and his style of play. It often takes time to get used to a new manager and for him to get his point across in a good way, and for us to act on them on the pitch. I think we’re starting to believe that we can win games. We’ve seen that in a lot of games recently, and then obviously now we’ve got the win. So, it’s about building the momentum and keeping that going.”
Bundesliga: What has Dieter Hecking brought to the club and what do you make of his work?
“He’s obviously different compared to the other two managers we have had this season. Dieter has perhaps a bit more experience and a different energy about him [than Paul Simonis and Daniel Bauer] because he’s been in the game for a long time. That energy is felt by the club and the players. It brings a certain calm and a certain awareness on and off the pitch. In that way, Dieter has been really positive. Everyone’s felt good since he arrived. Now with our first win, that always makes it easier.”
Bundesliga: How would you describe your season overall?
Eriksen: "It’s not been like what I thought it would be when I signed, in terms of how many different managers we’ve had and where we’re at in the league, or wearing the captain’s armband. But at the same time, it’s a proud moment to wear the captain’s armband here at a club like this. Wherever I’ve been, I’ve always tried to be myself, and tried to be the best player to help and guide the team in the best way possible. It’s been the same here."
Bundesliga: How can it happen that a team like Wolfsburg that had European ambitions at the start of the season get into a relegation battle?
Eriksen: “The how is by not winning games. Overall this season, we’ve had our chances to win games, but we just couldn’t. We’ve also given away a lot of chances and goals to our opponents. That just doesn’t help. At the same time, we’ve gone round with different managers who have different ideas, and that also takes time to adjust to. So, it’s been a season with a lot of ups and downs, let’s say.”
Bundesliga: Despite the win at the weekend, you’re still in the drop zone on 24 points, with St. Pauli directly above you on 26 points. How do you view the table?
Eriksen: "We’re still below where we want to be. Obviously, the win [last week] was good for us, but we also know we’re far from safe and far from where we want to be. So, we have to put pressure on St. Pauli and everyone else who might go down if we start winning a few games. So, we can only focus on ourselves, and it will be the same against Gladbach. We need three points. Nothing else will do.”
Bundesliga: This is a position you’ve never found yourself in your career. What would relegation with the team mean for you personally?
Eriksen: "I think it would be a big hit on my CV as a player. But at the same time - like I’ve said to the other Danish guys in the team - in football you never know what’s going to happen. Anything can happen in a football career, but obviously I want to try to do everything possible to avoid going down.”
Watch: Wolfsburg 2-1 St. Pauli - previous meeting highlights
Bundesliga: Turning our attention to the recently crowned champions Bayern Munich for a moment, what have you made of your former teammate Harry Kane’s season?
Eriksen: "It’s been incredible. He’s obviously just built on his game during the three seasons he’s been here. Before he came here, people were a bit sceptical, but he’s shown the player he is. At the same time, he has a very good team around him that helps him. I’m pleased for Harry, and I wish him the best.”
Bundesliga: How have you found it personally playing in the Bundesliga and is there a chance you will play here next season?
Eriksen: "Yes, there is. I have really enjoyed my time here. It’s been a new experience. Obviously, taking away the situation we’re in, it’s been nice to experience the league - it’s a fun one to play in. There’s a lot happening at both ends and there are a lot of chances. So, in terms of football, it’s a fun league.”
Watch: Kane expresses Eriksen surprise
Bundesliga: Next up for you is Borussia Mönchengladbach at home. What do you expect from that match?
Eriksen: "We need everyone to be ready. We got a win in Berlin and now we need one more to get a bit closer to safety. These are the games we have to win to have a chance to stay up.”
Bundesliga: Your final games see you face Bayern and then St. Pauli, in what could be a relegation decider. What do you make of those games?
Eriksen: "We will see where we are at that point. It’s tough to say now. You can look at the schedule and think ‘OK, that’s going to be a fun game’. But the game isn’t now, and there are three more games in-between. There are still a lot of points to play for before that game, so let’s see where we are at before the last game. If it’s like it is now, then obviously it’s going to be an intense and fun game to watch.”
Watch: Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-3 Wolfsburg - previous meeting highlights
Bundesliga: Are you still positive you won’t go down?
Eriksen: "Yes, I'm still positive."
Related news
Saviours required for relegation struggle
Which key players could help their clubs emerge victorious from the looming relegation tussle?
Hjulmand on catching Bayern and facing Eriksen
The Dane sat down to discuss his start to life with Leverkusen, his footballing philosophy and the prospect of taking on his former talisman.
Christian Eriksen exclusive!
The playmaker on why he joined the Wolves, his friendship with Harry Kane, and a potential Bundesliga debut in Dortmund!
What can be decided on Matchday 31?
Bayern are already champions, but there are still European places up for grabs and we could see the season's first relegation casualty this weekend...
Fantasy tips for Matchday 31
Not sure which players should be in your Fantasy team? We've got you covered...
Who's in trouble at the bottom?
Keep an eye on which teams are in danger of dropping down to Bundesliga 2 with just five games remaining...