"We want more"

Before the new Werkself Magazin goes out to Bayer 04 members,bayer04.de brings you an exclusive interview with Florian Wirtz. The Werkself number 10 is a magician on the ball and a genius for many people. So what is more fitting than interviewing and photographing the 21-year-old for the Werkself Magazin where art in Leverkusen is always available – at Schloss Morsbroich, to be more exact in the imposing hall of mirrors. Florian Wirtz patiently posed – and then spoke about targets for the season, learning lessons, childhood impressions and spontaneous tricks.

Florian, we last interviewed you for the Werkself Magazin three and a half years ago. You were just 18 and you wore a chain round your neck with your shirt number 27. "I've got big dreams” was the headline. To what extent has that been achieved and to what extent can you see where you have developed?

Wirtz: I was still a young bloke back then. (he laughs) But I actually had big dreams as a child. I'm definitely happy with what I've achieved in the meantime. Last season's trophies were something very special – for the club, but also for me, for my family, friends, everybody around who shared the thrill. Winning the league title was a personal target of mine. But I'm ready to carry on dreaming and to achieve other, even bigger targets.

Are there are one or two special moments for you in the title winning season?

Wirtz: To be honest, I forget things very quickly. That's why last season isn't really clear in my mind any more. But the match against Bremen where we sealed the league title, when the fans came onto the pitch and where I scored three goals, was obviously special. That will be a defining moment for me forever and I will always treasure it.

The moment were you held back the fans with your hand gestures after scoring your second goal at 4-0 is iconic and was recently voted Sports Photograph of the Year.

Wirtz: I've actually seen that picture in lots of places and it's also on the wall to our dressing room. It's a cool photo. We players knew we were the only ones who might be able to hold the fans back a bit. I don't think anybody else could have done that, neither stewards or police officers. I wanted to celebrate at first and run to the fans but I immediately saw that they were a little restive. (He laughs)

That's a nice understatement.

Wirtz: You have to understand the fans as they've waited so long for it. I think they kept it together well right to the end and the referee also produced a good solution in the end. A brilliant moment.

The Bundesliga and DFB Pokal were followed by the Euros in Germany. Have you actually found time to deal with things and to reflect on what happened?

Wirtz: That's missing. I definitely didn't do it intentionally but somehow everything passed me by. I've never really sat down and thought about it all again. Perhaps I'll catch up on that at a quieter time or after my playing career has ended. I'm somebody who always really focuses on the moment, my mind is always on current things. We won't be able to move on if we spend the whole time dealing with last season. We want to continue to be successful and we also have big targets this season.

You found it tough going as a team at the start of the season. How did you see that?

Wirtz: It didn't turn out like we wanted or like we were used to. First we had to work our way back again and obviously there were a couple of games where we unnecessarily dropped points. Then we consciously set out to give our all right to the end in every game to get the win. That expectation of winning games was also a reason why we were so successful last season. Before kick-off it was clear to us that we would win the game regardless of what happened, regardless of whether we were behind up to the 90th minute or it looked like being a draw. That perception definitely made a big difference. We've had a really good run recently. A lot of wins in succession and a really good points tally. We know there are still enough games and we’re trying to carry on winning as many as possible. And then we'll see what happens in the end.

You've had to wait more than four years for your first Champions League game with Bayer 04. Was the first time in Rotterdam suitably emotional?

Wirtz: The Europa League matches triggered a lot in me, particularly in the knockout games. But you can feel that the Champions League is another level. I looked forward to finally being able to play in this competition for weeks before the game. When the anthem rang out I looked round the stadium because I wanted to find my parents. I just enjoyed the moment and didn't have any thoughts about the game but rather the desire to get going. And, yes it did go well. (He laughs)

You scored your first goal after five minutes. A total of six goals in the eight games in the league phase, Man of the Match five times: The Champions League appears to be the right stage for you.

Wirtz: I've tried to show what I can do at the highest level. It's incredible fun to play against teams you only know from TV. The Champions League has a different attraction, with the kick-off time, night games in the week, floodlights, the famous anthem – that's special. I notice the day before the game I can hardly wait for it to get started.

How far do you think your team can go in the Champions League?

Wirtz: We’ve qualified for the Round of 16. That was a target in my head before it started. I know we have the quality for that. We definitely feel ready and in a position to beat every opponent. Of course, it always comes down to your form on the day – and that of the opposition. So I don't think we’ll definitely win the Champions League. (He laughs) But we will do everything to go as far as we can. For example, last season you could see in Borussia Dortmund that it's possible for an underdog to get through to the final.

You are also confident on the pitch. To what extent would you see yourself as a leader in spite of your young age? And how do see your role in the team, particularly in important games?

Wirtz: I definitely try to lead the way, be somebody the team can rely on. The others should see that I'm up for it, that they can rely on me even if things aren't going so well for themselves. The players, particularly the younger ones in the team, should use me to pull themselves up and learn things if in doubt. Obviously I try to lead the way with my football ability, do my job and make it easier for teammates by passing to them well or making good runs and thereby help them on the pitch.

It's not easy for you. Recently there is a feeling that opponents try to put you off your game, for example in the Atlético or Leipzig matches.

Wirtz: I'm used to that – also that I always have someone marking me. That doesn't really bother me. I think I can learn from the Madrid game that I shouldn't get so involved in chat. In general I'm the type to ignore that. Then they can talk to me as much as they like.

As with the Atlético player Rodrigo de Paul who you often came up against in Madrid. How did you communicate?

Wirtz: He spoke Spanish, I spoke English. So nobody understood each other. (He laughs) I just wanted to ignore it all. But I think I learned something from the first half in the second half in Madrid. I just have to concentrate on my job.

Watching you, you always appear incredibly fleet of foot. It looks like you aren't aware of the pressure associated with the match. Then you just look like a lad on the recreation ground who just wants to play the game.

Wirtz: I quite often hear that it looks really relaxed. I'm extremely focused, mentally on the game and in the tunnel I concentrate on my strengths. But I'm obviously happy if it looks relaxed and nonchalant, I often hear that lots of people watch our games because they like the way I play. That motivates me to carry on in the same way.

Did you have a role model as a child?

Wirtz: I've always watched loads of football, and look forward to seeing players it's worth switching on for because they do things that not many people know or can do. It always used to be Lionel Messi but now I just look to see if I can learn something from somebody.

In duels do you always know what your next trick will be – or does it just happen intuitively?

Wirtz: What I do is mostly very spontaneous because it appears to be the best solution for me in that situation. My goal against Freiburg (Goal of the Year 2023; ed.) is the perfect example of that. There I just did everything that was possible in the situation and what I thought was the smartest. (He laughs) But sometimes, as against RB Leipzig, I suspect or know beforehand what the opponent will do and then it's easier to do my own tricks because I can see how the opponents move and when they'll dive in. It's definitely one of my strengths that sometimes I know in advance what will happen – and then I can concentrate on the solution so that I anticipate the situation and thereby create an advantage for myself.

That anticipation is a great strength. In terms of improvement, you said yourself in the interview in 2021, is the final ball. Now you are the best provider in the league.

Wirtz: Yes, that's definitely one of the key things I've improved in recent years. But that also only happens by playing games at a high, at the highest level – because you can learn the most there. For example I notice what opponents do most often in what situation and whether I can play a nutmeg as the opponent has made a long stride. Those are things that come with time and experience. I've learned to watch what the others do and then make the best decision. You always have to be prepared to learn if you want to become a better player.

That's your target. Here we quote Lothar Matthäus who said you are "a magician. An artist." L'Équipe has written: "He's a number 10 like no other." What's your reaction to these rave reviews?

Wirtz: I'm obviously happy with compliments like that but I hadn't heard them up to now. That perhaps shows that I don't concern myself with that so much. Of course, it's great if former players are able to see it like that. I don't make too much of that because I know there will also be bad times. In football you can go up quickly and down again as fast. So I don't concentrate on what other people say but rather on things I can do better for myself. Other people can talk about me.

You are seen as a magician on the ball but at the same time you are by far the most successful challenger in the whole of the Bundesliga. You also lead the way in terms of ground covered. How do those go together?

Wirtz: As a child, I always wanted to be everywhere on the pitch. (He laughs) I think one of my biggest qualities is that I can run a lot also at pace. I just have the physique to get into lots of challenges. I give everything in every game for us to win. So I also look for challenges or run back because I know that's part of helping my team be successful. I want to give my all and run until I can't anymore.

There you come through as the passionate player you clearly were as a child. Do you still occasionally watch games in Brauweiler?

Wirtz: Yes, when I have the time. My father is still active in the club, my friends also play there in the men's team, albeit not in the first eleven. I'd better not say which team they play for. (He laughs) They just have fun playing football without any great ambition. And after they’ve played we have a kickabout on the pitch. I'm always up for it. (He laughs)

You still have your usual environment, your parents are at almost all the games. What role has Bayer 04 as a club played in your development?

Wirtz: I'm extremely grateful I had the chance to start with the first team. I felt a lot of trust in me, I had very good teammates from the start, good coaches and I was able to develop here in peace. I was able to become a better player, year by year. I also had lots of support when I tore my cruciate and Bayer 04 has the best facilities with the Werkstatt. Our squad has been strengthened each year and now we have a very good team. I can definitely be happy to be at such a good club and be able to play in such a good team and nevertheless still have my whole accustomed environment around me.

And that obviously brings the obligatory question of whether you can see yourself extending your contract at Bayer 04 due to run out in 2027?

Wirtz: You'll read about it somewhere at some time and then you'll know. (He laughs) So, I just play football and that's why there's nothing else to be said on that matter.

"I've got big dreams" was the headline above the interview in the spring of 2021 when you talked about your targets. What headline would you want, from a Bayer 04 perspective, for this interview?

Wirtz: Of course, we got a taste for it last season. But we didn't make a song and dance about it. I'm not a great friend of predictions. But we will try in every competition, whether it's the Bundesliga, Pokal or Champions League, to achieve the maximum, draw conclusions from the first half of the season and continue to grow as a team. Then we'll see what happens in the end. But yes, the headline would be: "We definitely want more."