Cologne star Saïd El Mala on his Germany call-up, brother Malek's debut goal, and the Rhine Derby against Bayer Leverkusen
Saïd El Mala has become a talismanic figure at Cologne since making his senior Billy Goats debut in August last year. Last weekend, though, it was El Mala’s brother, Malek, who thrust himself into the limelight after marking his Bundesliga bow with the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Union Berlin.
In an exclusive interview with the Bundesliga, Saïd reflects on a memorable day for the El Mala family and shares his thoughts on his recent call-up to the Germany squad, being a role model at the RheinEnergieStadion, and the upcoming Rhine derby against Bayer Leverkusen.
Bundesliga: Saïd, how did you find out that you’d been recalled to the Germany squad?
Saïd El Mala: “Usually, it’s via a phone call from the national team coach. I think it came on Tuesday. I didn’t see it at first, so I called him [Jürgen Klopp] back. I was happy that he decided to include me again. It shows I’m doing something right. I’m looking forward to being there again next week and I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”
Bundesliga: What do you make of the adulation you’re receiving from Cologne supporters?
El Mala: “I don’t think it’s completely sunk in yet. I think it’s quite extreme because I don’t think they’ve had anything like this in Cologne for a long time. It makes me happy. I like it, I love it when kids come up to me, whether at training or in private. I always make time for the kids, and it makes me happy that I can be a role model for young children who look up to me. It’s really cool, definitely.”
Bundesliga: What responsibilities come with being a Cologne role model?
El Mala: “A lot of responsibilities, actually, particularly after changing my shirt number. It’s different, you definitely feel it. That said, I think the expectations were already very, very high before that. I’m handling it well. I try not to let it get to me too much and just keep doing what I love, which is playing football - ideally with a clear mind. That’s not always the case, of course, but I think I manage it quite well.”
Bundesliga: Does wearing the number 10 shirt bring extra responsibility?
El Mala: “Of course. I think previous owners of the number 10 jersey here are big names, and I obviously want to do the shirt justice. Wearing that number isn’t something you can take for granted at such a big club, but I’ve prepared myself for it, and I think I’ve done quite well so far.”
Bundesliga: Have you and your brother Malek had time to process his debut Bundesliga goal last weekend?
El Mala: “Yes, we’d already processed it by the following day. It was obviously a special moment, though. I don’t think I could have envisaged it before the game, but I obviously knew it would happen for him at some point.
“Being on the pitch together at the time wouldn’t have really mattered to me, but the fact that we could celebrate his first goal and his debut was obviously great. My mum had no voice left the next day. She called me and I asked, ‘Mum, what happened?’ She said, ‘I screamed too much.’ It’s wonderful, of course.
“Our family was there. I’m incredibly pleased for Malek. I think I’ve said it often enough now. I think everyone here was happy for him because you can see how hard he works. It was really only a matter of time before he scored and got his chance to come on.”
Watch: Union Berlin 1-1 Cologne - highlights
Bundesliga: Was your mother at the stadium on Sunday, then?
El Mala: “Of course, Mum was there. They always come to the games. The people we love are always there, even for away games. It was obviously brilliant for them to witness something like that from the stands.”
Bundesliga: Who was happiest about Malek’s goal?
El Mala: “I’d say I was, but he was obviously very, very happy too. For me, it was one of those moments where I thought, ‘Was that really Malek?’ It was pretty incredible.”
Bundesliga: Which of you was a bigger nuisance growing up?
El Mala: “I’d say I was quite the problem child, both at school and at home. I caused a lot of trouble and always gave everyone headaches at home. Malek was the quieter one, but I think I’ve calmed down a little since.”
Bundesliga: Which of you is more likely to ignore the family group chat?
El Mala: “Malek, 100 percent. I always tell him, ‘Can you write something in there too, or at least give your opinion?’ But when it comes to things like that, he’s very quiet.”
Bundesliga: What’s the biggest difference between you and Malek?
El Mala: “I think Malek is more shy. You can tell because everyone we meet for the first time tells me that my brother is more reserved. However, when you meet my brother for the second, third or fourth time, you realise he’s completely different. I think I’m more open towards strangers or other people.”
Bundesliga: Which of your brother’s qualities on the pitch are you most envious of?
El Mala: “His pressing. He presses really well against the ball. He’s very aggressive when he closes players down, considering how tall he is. He’s also got quite a bit of pace, so his pressing is really hard to deal with for opponents.”
Bundesliga: How are you preparing for the local derby against Leverkusen?
El Mala: “At the end of the day, it’s another Bundesliga game, albeit one with a different background. You prepare in exactly the same way. We’re working a lot with the video team, just like we do for every other game. I think the only difference is that, on matchday, the atmosphere in the stadium will be completely different. The fans really want the win, as do we.”
Bundesliga: How do you cope when a derby like that becomes heated on the pitch?
El Mala: “I generally don’t have a problem with it. I like it actually, because when the game gets heated the pace increases, and I think it’s also more exciting to watch for the fans.”
Bundesliga: Do you need those emotions to bring out the best in your game?
El Mala: “If you watch some of our games, you can see that I like to get the fans involved and that I’m also very emotional. I think that’s completely normal as a footballer, especially in such important games. I’m definitely a very emotional person on the pitch.”
Watch: Star duo set for Rhine derby showdown
Bundesliga: What can you learn from [former Bayer Leverkusen and Germany star] Rudi Völler, and have you looked into his career?
El Mala: "During the last international break, Rudi and I flew home to Düsseldorf together and chatted a little. He told me a few things. You can obviously learn from someone like him. He’s a very, very big role model for many people, perhaps more for the older generation than the younger ones.
“I never saw him play live myself, but of course you read and hear a lot about what he achieved, so you can definitely learn a great deal from him. He doesn’t really need to tell me about all his achievements, because I think everyone here in Germany knows about them. We just chatted a little, about our private lives too.”
