Wolfsburg's Divock Origi: "The Bundesliga suits me perfectly!"
Having only completed his loan switch to Wolfsburg from Liverpool on the final day of the transfer window, striker Divock Origi was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI for the Matchday 3 encounter against Hannover.
Showing great promise in that 1-1 draw, the Belgium international forward's importance to the cause could increase significantly following an untimely injury to club captain Mario Gomez. bundesliga.com spoke with Origi following his first taste of German top-flight action.
bundesliga.com: How do you feel your first 90 minutes in the Bundesliga went?
Divock Origi: The more the game went on, the more I felt I got into my rhythm. I am very happy to be here at Wolfsburg. For me it was important to feel as good as possible with my new team-mates as we had very little time together before the Hannover match. It was a pity that Mario Gomez got hurt. After that happened we had to change our system which meant a change for me too. The result wasn't satisfactory because I feel we deserved to win. But overall it was important for me to get to know my new team; we have a lot of quality within our squad.
bundesliga.com: Do you consider a 1-1 draw against Hannover a bad return?
Origi: It's a case of taking the point and looking forward. It could have been more and it means we must continue to work hard, but there were positives. We created many opportunities, for example, but know we must make better use of our chances in the future.
bundesliga.com: What other positives did you take from the game?
Origi: I felt we played some really good football. Added to that, my team-mates are now a bit more aware of how I play, and I picked up signs of what makes this side tick. We must build on these type of things.
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bundesliga.com: Were you surprised to be thrown in at the beginning?
Origi: No. I was ready for that and I wanted to start. The coach showed a lot of confidence in me. It was very important for me to get the match practice.
bundesliga.com: How do you assess the Mario Gomez injury?
Origi: I met Mario only a few days ago and immediately realised that he is a giant personality. Simply put, he has immense experience. It wasn't a happy scene when he went down injured. But I saw Mario again in the dressing room at half-time and I know that he has the experience to work through this problem in order to get back on the pitch as soon as possible. We have to respond to the setback as a team. Up front, we have a lot of different options, so somehow we must try to find a solution.
bundesliga.com: Should Gomez be absent for a long period, there will soon be more focus on you as the team's goalscorer. How would you feel about that?
Origi: I see it as something positive if I need to take on a lot of responsibility. In times like that, I don't feel under pressure and just try to focus on my game. I will try to integrate as quickly as possible as I would like to contribute to our success with assists and goals.
bundesliga.com: This was only your first game in the Bundesliga, but how would you compare and contrast things to the English Premier League?
Origi: There are many similarities. In the Bundesliga, the pace is as quick as in England. The Bundesliga has a lot of quality, the speed of the game is high while the matches are competitive, very open and entertaining. There is a high intensity to the game here.
bundesliga.com: What is your preferred attacking position?
Origi: I've played in all of them, including as a playmaker. I can play on the flanks or as a lone striker and I adapt quickly to each position. For now, the most important thing is to be ready for when the coach needs me.
bundesliga.com: Does the Bundesliga better suit your skills as a player?
Origi: Yes, for sure. The Bundesliga suits me perfectly and when I get to know my team-mates it will be even better. I am relatively quick and like to come from the outside into the penalty area as fast as possible. The more I play, the more effective I will become here.
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