Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani on the secrets to his fine form and pride at representing Kosovo
Hoffenheim's Kosovo international forward Fisnik Asllani has 15 goal involvements already in a superb first season as a Bundesliga regular, having spent the past two campaigns away on loan. The 23-year-old told us in an interview how hard work and his love of football have helped him to success.
Bundesliga: You've made switching to the Bundesliga after loans at Austria Vienna and Elversberg look easy. How does that make you feel?
Asllani: “I’m proud of myself because not many people would have expected me to be where I am now a year and a half ago. I never stopped working, even when things didn’t look promising, and in the end I’ve been rewarded for that.
“I just try to enjoy everything – to enjoy football and have fun. I don’t focus on things off the pitch. I just want to perform and enjoy myself, because when I’m enjoying it, I play my best football.”
Watch: The best of Fisnik Asllani
Bundesliga: Is it fair to say playing with the kind of ease you have isn’t so simple though?
Asllani: “True – it looks simple, but it isn’t. I like to laugh, and you can probably see that on the pitch. I enjoy being out there with the team, not just focusing on football all the time but also joking around and having fun. I try to be a normal person rather than overthinking what a professional footballer is supposed to be. At the end of the day, it’s a hobby that became my job, and it’s important to keep that mindset. That helps me keep that sense of ease.”
Bundesliga: How have you managed to stay grounded throughout your big development this season?
Asllani: “That comes down to my upbringing. We didn’t have the easiest life and had to work hard for everything. My parents fled the war and had to start from nothing. My parents didn’t have the possibilities I have. In a way, I’m living my father’s dream – he also wanted to become a professional footballer but didn’t have the opportunities. That’s why he’s so proud. No matter what happens in my career, I will never forget where I come from. I want to stay grounded, and my father definitely helps to make sure of that.”
Watch: Asllani’s first eight Bundesliga goals of the season
Bundesliga: It’s been quite a year for Kosovo too, as you only narrowly missed out on qualifying for the World Cup. How was that experience?
Asllani: “I had some incredible moments. At the start of the World Cup qualifiers, I didn’t get as many minutes as I had hoped. Then I started a match and scored straight away, and scored again in the next game, and also in the play-off semi-final against Slovakia. Those are moments you never forget. Even in away matches, the number of fans we had was unbelievable.
“Seeing the celebrations, hearing the noise after scoring, and then seeing my parents in the stands afterwards – they were unforgettable moments. There were times when people saw me on the street and talked about me being the guy who scored the goal against Slovenia. People know my name now. I’ve worked hard for that, and it makes me and my family very proud.”
Bundesliga: Hoffenheim are still in the top six but haven’t been quite as successful recently compared to the start of the season. Why do you think that is?
Asllani: “Football is often about momentum. We probably had a bit more of that in the autumn and winter. Sometimes it comes down to small details – maybe you get a penalty, or the ball goes in instead of hitting the crossbar. Those are things you have to earn. We’re working hard to make better decisions in those small moments so that things start going our way again. We are training intensively every day to turn it around.”
Bundesliga: Do you see the Matchday 30 clash against Dortmund as a chance to turn things around?
Asllani: “Yes, it’s a great opportunity for us to show what we’re capable of. The last few matches didn’t go the way we wanted, and we didn’t pick up the points we had hoped for. Dortmund are a strong side and they’re second for a reason. We’ll focus on ourselves, give everything, and then we’ll see what the result is.”
Bundesliga: What is your dream for the future in football?
Asllani: “I want to go as far as possible. I have big ambitions and want to have a great career. I’m working hard in training every day and trying to improve in every area. I analyse my performances, work closely with the coaches and always look for ways to get better. My focus is on improving myself, and hopefully everything else will follow.”
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