Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel: 'There's still a long way to go'
Gregor Kobel has been an ever-present for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga this campaign and therefore a key member of one of the division's best defensive units. He sat down to discuss BVB's season so far, as well as what is still to come...
Bundesliga: Dortmund currently have the second-best defence in the league, conceding just one more than leaders Bayern. You must be feeling pretty good right now.
Gregor Kobel: "I do. We have a really good rhythm and relationship between the back line, the defensive midfielders and myself. We play well together and that gives the team a strong foundation.”
Bundesliga: Is there any player who has been particularly key to your defensive success?
Kobel: “No. Waldi [Waldemar Anton] said it really well: it’s a collective effort. Football is 11 against 11. There are key moments - a tackle, a duel, maybe a save - but I depend on my defenders and what kind of shots they let through. The better they do their job, the easier it is for me, and vice versa.
"Even the forwards help at the end of games, dropping back for corners, throw-ins and defensive phases. It’s a collective effort and something the whole team can be proud of.”
Watch: Borussia Dortmund - Beyond the game
Bundesliga: A solid defence has not always been Dortmund's trademark in recent years. What has changed?
Kobel: “There is more focus on the defensive side of the game. We work hard, try to be physical, and understand that defending well gives us a better chance of winning matches. If you concede fewer goals, you increase your chances - it’s simple. We put our energy into that, and the rest follows because we have a lot of quality in the squad.”
Bundesliga: You and your teammates' performances have put Dortmund well on track to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League - does having that cushion allow you to dream a little bigger?
Kobel: “That's what we always try to do. If you are Borussia Dortmund, you know how it goes. You go into a game and you have to win it. As a player, when you put on the jersey, when you have the badge on, it's obvious that you try to win the game.
"For me, from the first game of the season until the last game of the season you have to win the game, get the three points, or advance to the next round, whatever competition you're playing in. Nothing really changes in this regard.”
Bundesliga: You personally have 11 clean sheets to your name - the most in the league. How much confidence does that give you ahead of games with RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich?
Kobel: “It’s a nice statistic, especially for the defensive players. It’s a nice stat but statistics come from performances. We need to focus on what makes us strong: intensity, physicality, focus and sharpness for the full 90 minutes. If we do that, the rest comes naturally.”
Bundesliga: Does the game against Bayern feel like a final despite it coming earlier in the season?
Kobel: “I wouldn’t call it a final. There are still many games to play afterwards. If we win that game, we’re in a good position, but nowhere near where we need to be. If they win, they have a lot of games to go as well. It’s an exciting match - it’s Der Klassiker - and one of the highlights of the season. There’s still a long way to go, though."
Bundesliga: Bayern score around four goals per game on average, so you are likely to be busy. Are these the kinds of matches that are especially fun to play?
Kobel: “Yes, of course. That’s why I became a goalkeeper, to be in these situations and have the opportunity to save these shots. Bayern are top of the league for a reason and their attacking numbers are crazy. We lost narrowly in Munich, and now we play at home.
"We want to play with the confidence we have shown throughout the season. It will be tough, we know about their strengths and quality, but we believe in our qualities as well. We're playing at home in front of our amazing fans, we want to play off that energy and give a really good fight and compete at the highest level.”
Bundesliga: You mentioned the importance of playing at home. The Yellow Wall is always vocal, but for Der Klassiker, the fans seem to find a few extra percent. How much do you feel that on the pitch?
Kobel: “I only really feel it for 45 minutes. I'm pretty far away for the other 45! The fans can definitely be a game-changer. When the energy in the stadium is there and there’s a good relationship between what happens on the pitch and the reaction in the stands, it creates a strong feeling and a really strong energy. If the energy is there and you feel it, it can be a very special place.”
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