Baumgartlinger: My body is playing along again

After joining Leverkusen in the summer of 2016, Julian Baumgartlinger quickly established himself as a reliable midfielder. The 34-year-old yesterday pulled on the Werkself shirt for the 152^nd time – and he was also captain. Before kick-off, the right-footer was honoured for his time under the Bayer Cross in front of a crowd completely in red at the BayArena. A full house and a standing ovation – a fitting farewell.

Julian, you led the team onto the pitch as captain against Freiburg. It ended in a 2-1 win. The perfect finish to your time at Leverkusen?

Baumgartlinger: I’m definitely very grateful and also reconciled. I had to battle with my emotions today. It was very intense. Six years at Bayer 04 is a very long and formative time, which saw the birth of our three children. I will always associate that with this chapter of my career. And I’ve really enjoyed the past three months. I was able to pursue my passion with a great team on perfect pitches in sunshine. After the long time out injured there is no end to my fun through football and the desire to continue my career.

Let’s move on to your team: You’ve achieved your season target – Bayer 04 have qualified for the Champions League for the thirteenth time in the club’s history. How would you describe the 2021/22 season looking back?

Baumgartlinger: Very positive but also challenging at the same time. There was a change around before the start of the season. New coaching staff were brought in and there are also a couple of new faces in the team. Nevertheless, we showed what we were capable of from the start. And the team has grown together more and more as a collective over the year and has improved even further in many areas as have the coaches. They have all made a contribution to us having a very solid Bundesliga season.

A knee injury put you out of action for a long time and you were finally able to play for the Black and Reds again in Fürth on matchday 31. How relieved were you finally being able to put your football boots on again? And how difficult was your time watching from the sidelines?

Baumgartlinger: The situation wasn’t easy for me. No doubt about it. I returned from my cruciate injury a year ago. I was able to go to the Euros and then complete the whole of the pre-season. My knee problem came back at the start of the season I had to undergo another operation. That was a tough setback for me. I was finally able to train with the squad again in February. From that point I was again able to do what I love most about football: Be on the pitch and part of the team. The comeback in Fürth was important for me after that long time out. It was just fun again to be able to work with the lads every day. The confidence in my body was back and I was ready to compete.

You played 152 games for Bayer 04. Which one comes to mind first?

Baumgartlinger: The first thing I think about are the moments when we achieved big targets – as with qualifying for the Champions League at Hoffenheim last weekend. But also 2019 when we beat Hertha Berlin 5-1 on the final matchday to move up to fourth place. Those are absolutely special moments. Everything went right for the team back then. We were a band of brothers.

What made you decide to join Leverkusen in 2016? And did it live up to your expectations?

Baumgartlinger: My sporting ambition was the deciding factor. I definitely wanted to play in a top team and establish my place in a side that plays dominant football. My target has always been to continue to develop. As long as you can train and play then it’s unimportant how old you are. The possibility of taking the next step is always there.

You have played alongside a lot of different players over the six seasons with the Werkself. Which (former) teammate impressed you most during that time?

Baumgartlinger: On the pitch there have been a few players who have impressed me. Kai Havertz, Julian Brandt and Florian Wirtz are good examples. All three are special lads who showed they are capable of outstanding performances as very young players. For me, interpersonal relations are always a big factor. For example, I knew Lars and Sven Bender from our time together at 1860 Munich. We played together there in the youth teams and the senior side and our paths kept crossing again and again: First as opponents on the pitch and then we were in the same dressing room again here in Leverkusen. Together with Kevin Volland who also came through the youth set-up at the Lions. Through our common football background we knew what made each other tick on the pitch and that was an enormous help.

You’ve just mentioned it: A lot has happened off the pitch under the Bayer Cross since 2016. Which moments do you particularly like to remember?

Baumgartlinger: The 2018/19 season was something special. After qualifying for the Champions League we flew out as a team the next day for three days in Barcelona. That had been planned for a long time and the trip showed that the spirit in that group was exceptional. We grew even closer together in the run-in and we did exceptionally well to make up the ground to put us in the Champions League. Everything was right with the team. I’m very happy to remember that.

What are the plans for next season? Will you continue your career as football player?

Baumgartlinger: The plan is definitely to keep on playing. I feel good and still have a lot of joy playing. The past few weeks have reinforced my desire to carry on. My body is playing along again and my desire for football is as big as ever. We’ll see in the summer what happens. Nothing has been decided yet.

Again and again we hear you have everything to be able to work as a coach or manager in the future. Can you imagine that?

Baumgartlinger: Definitely, I’m at home in football. I’d also like to stay in the game after my career as a player. I’ve had the best education in this sport. When you’re playing, you can learn so much as a player, learn different ways of playing and playing under different coaches. I want to use that knowledge.

Which attracts you more: football pitch or office desk?

Baumgartlinger: I can imagine that working on the pitch is exactly the right thing for me. I want to take part full of passion and have a direct effect – that suits me. But I can equally imagine being more in the background and working more on concepts. Working with youth players would also attract me. We’ll have to see what happens.

And finally, we have to talk about Rudi Völler. How have you got to know him over the past few years?

Baumgartlinger: As an absolute role model at Bayer 04. On our away games at home and abroad it was again and again clear to me how well-known Rudi is. Rudi was recognised regardless of where we were and he always took time out for a short chat, an autograph or a selfie. It impresses me the way he deals with all the hustle and bustle around him. I wish him all the best for the future.