Kai, first of all, congratulations on winning the title of PS4 Champion 2020. What does that success mean to you?
A whole lot. On the one hand, because the last year hasn't quite gone that well for me on the console. On the other, because I prepared intensively for the Grand Final – more intensively than for a long time. Accordingly, I'm very happy to end up as the best German PS4 player.
How do you assess your performance in the Grand Final looking back?
With mixed feelings. The group stage went really well and I think I deserved to be unbeaten at the top of the group. The problem in the first play-off match, in the Round of 16, was that I was playing against Fabio (Greuther Fürth’s Fabio ‘FIFABIO97’ Sabbagh, ed.). He knows me well and we regularly train together. So I knew I needed a top performance and also a bit of luck. In the quarter-finals, I was too nervous in the first leg (0-0) but did much better in the second leg (5-0). I lived up to my own expectations in the second match: Be brave and do my best.
How did you prepare for the Grand Final?
As soon as it was announced the tournament would be completed online, I started training and definitely did more than I'd normally do ahead of a tournament. I specifically sought out opponents whose style I thought I could have met in the Grand Final. On top of that, I was in contact with the Bayer 04 sports psychologist Berit Kauffeld. The meeting with her really helped me.
You met some very strong players in the knockout stages and weren't always the favourite in these clashes – for example against the reigning world champion 'MOUABA'. Did that help you to play with more freedom?
I'm never bothered about who is said to be the favourite ahead of a match. That doesn't help me during the game. I've often played against Mo and they've always been very intensive games with close results. But one thing is clear as well: Regardless of how they end, we always have great and exciting matches!
After the final, you said you took the wrong approach in the overall final against Augsburg's 'YANNIC0109'. What did you mean and what have you learned from those two matches?
We played the first leg on my PS4 console at home. That gave me the feeling I definitely had to win. I played much too offensively. Looking back, that wasn't necessary. Because we're on a par on Xbox. Anyway. I've learned from that experience. The next time I know it's not that bad if I only manage to get a draw on my home console.
In the second leg of the semi-final against 'MOUABA' there was a problem with a bug and the world champion expressed criticism of FIFA 20 afterwards. How happy are you with the game?
On the one hand, I have to say that errors can happen – not just with FIFA but in real life too. It's all about making the best of it. The people in charge of the game gave Mo two options. But he probably wasn't happy with that because he thought the momentum was on his side. Of course, they could have asked me but the decision about how we carry on was down to him. Therefore I think the procedure was in order. Basically, FIFA 20 was an extremely intensive season. A lot's happened, starting with the coronavirus pandemic. On top of that, the game's often changed. So I'm even happier that the season has ended so well.
Third place in the Club Championship and the title of PS4 Champion 2020 must give you an appetite for more. What are your targets for the coming season?
I never set specific targets before a season. I can understand why other people do it but that's not the way I approach it. I always try to play as well as possible. And I know that if I play to my limit then I can achieve a lot at the end of the season.
And finally: What's next for you?
The actual season ended with the Grand Final. As I said, it was an intensive tournament for me. So I'll take a break to start with and switch off from it all.
