Javairo Dilrosun (l.) says Jürgen Klinsmann (r.) has put more than just daylight between Hertha Berlin and the relegation zone. - © imago
Javairo Dilrosun (l.) says Jürgen Klinsmann (r.) has put more than just daylight between Hertha Berlin and the relegation zone. - © imago
bundesliga

"Jürgen Klinsmann has brought great spirit to Hertha Berlin" - Javairo Dilrosun

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Javairo Dilrosun is confident Jürgen Klinsmann can get Hertha Berlin back into top-six contention, and help the former Manchester City youth player realise his own ambition of playing for the Netherlands at UEFA Euro 2020.

Dilrosun, 21, made 13 appearances during the first half of 2019/20, playing in four of Klinsmann's first five matches at the helm, and starting the last three.

The Dutchman is yet to add to the three goals and two assists he produced under the new Hertha coach's predecessor Ante Covic, but is more than happy with the team's upswing since the former Germany, Bayern Munich and USMNT boss took charge.

Despite sitting above the relegation play-off spot on goals scored when Klinsmann was appointed on a deal until the end of the season, Hertha ended the year in 12th place thanks to a four-match unbeaten run. They are currently preparing for the second half of the campaign in the US state of Florida.

Ahead of their winter friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt, Dilrosun took the time to speak to bundesliga.com about the Old Lady's season so far, life under Klinsmann, climbing the standings and going to the Euros...

bundesliga.com: You scored three goals and made two assists in 13 Bundesliga appearances during the first half of the season. Are you satisfied with your performances so far this season?

Javairo Dilrosun: "I think I had a good half year. I played a lot of games, got a lot of minutes, scored some goals and made some assists. If I’m being critical, I could have maybe scored more goals. I missed some chances, but I think I can look back on a good first half of the season. I’m happy - I think it’s a good foundation for the second half of the season. I feel good, I'm fit."

Watch: Javairo Dilrosun won the September 2019 Goal of the Month award with this beauty!

bundesliga.com: Are there certain things you’re looking at improving?

Dilrosun: "My consistency. I maybe played three good games, then one bad one, and then three good ones again. Now I want to put a good run of games together. I want to play to a good level consistently. That’s my aim, and to be in the top half of the table with Hertha."

bundesliga.com: Hertha are 12th in the table at halfway, but ended the year on a four-match unbeaten run. Are you satisfied with the team performances so far?

Dilrosun: "It didn’t go as expected at the start of the season. We expected to be as high as possible and compete for the European places. It didn’t go as planned, we were down at the bottom at one point. Then of course there was a change in coach. Everyone knows Jürgen Klinsmann, and he's brought great spirit into the team. When he came in, everyone was like, 'we have to give everything'. Everyone had motivation to show what they could do. He’s a positive guy, and he always brings positivity to the team. I think that’s very important. The spirit now is high, and we believe we can climb as high as possible."

bundesliga.com: What else has Klinsmann brought to the team?

Dilrosun: "He has some new ideas, some new ways of training. He brought a new backroom staff with him. Training is very hard and intensive. When you train like this, you only get better. That’s very important for us and the coaching staff. It’s good for the spirit and for the confidence. We picked up a lot of points, and ended the year well. We can build on that, and start the year in high spirits."

bundesliga.com: What kind of guy is Klinsmann?

Dilrosun: "Like I said, he’s very positive, he tries to help everyone. Even when you’re not playing well, he can push you on. I think that’s what everyone needs in this team. We have a lot of young players, and I think he’s very good with them. He pushes everyone on and motivates us. For us as a team, that’s very important. He’s given us confidence, confidence that we can finish high in the standings."

bundesliga.com: What do you like most about Klinsmann?

Dilrosun: "He was a striker, so that's good for me as an attacker. He knows how we think as attackers. That’s good for me, and the other forwards. He can give me tips about finishing and getting into spaces - where I should go and that kind of thing."

Dilrosun (l.) is honing his goal-scoring skills all the time under Klinsmann (r.). - imago

bundesliga.com: How do you think Hertha will do in the second half of the season?

Dilrosun: "I think we’ll do well. We’re not scared of anyone. We always play to win. Confidence is high, and we believe we can beat everyone. Our first game is against Bayern Munich - the best team in the Bundesliga - but we’re not scared of them."

bundesliga.com: What are you first impressions of new signing Santiago Ascacibar?

Dilrosun: "I didn’t know him before, but my first first impressions are good. He’s a good midfielder. He can turn in tight spaces and pick out our forwards with a pass. He’s a good signing for Hertha."

bundesliga.com: What are you personal goals for the rest of the season?

Dilrosun: "To be involved in more goals. Score more, assist more and help the team get as high as possible. Personally I want to get into the Netherlands team for the Euros. I think it’s possible for me, if I do everything right. It’s a big goal."

bundesliga.com: And your biggest goal?

Dilrosun: "To score in the final of the Euros!"

Dilrosun (l.) won his only senior international cap for the Netherlands to date in a UEFA Nations League game against Germany in November 2018. - imago

bundesliga.com: What do you remember of your Netherlands debut against Germany?

Dilrosun: "It was an important game in the Nations League - a win would put us in the final. The first half Ryan Babel got injured, and then I came on. I was a bit nervous, but I felt comfortable and confident, and then I got injured in the second half and was out for a long time. I never really got back in the national team because I was back, then injured, back, injured - but now I feel fit. If I play and perform how I can, I think I can get a spot at the Euros. That’s my biggest aim. Because of that I think I’ll play well for Hertha. That’s a win-win for everyone."

bundesliga.com: What are the Nertherlands’ prospects right now?

Dilrosun: "The Dutch squad is very good. Ronald Koeman is a very good coach. We have a good team. Everyone has to watch out for them at the Euros."

bundesliga.com: What can you bring to the national team?

Dilrosun: "We have some injuries in attack, and I think I can help the team with my runs in behind and creativity. I'm confident; it's up to me."

bundesliga.com: Who do you see as the Euro 2020 favourites?

Dilrosun: "Obviously Belgium - they’re very good; World Cup winners France. Those two and Holland have a good chance. But you never know. Croatia were finalists at the last World Cup. No one would have said it before. So you just never know."

bundesliga.com: Who will win it?

Dilrosun: "Holland, definitely!"