Fabian Johnson: “It doesn't matter who the opponents are”

Hi Fabian. Having been born in Munich, what is your connection with the city like?

It's my hometown. I grew up there and a lot of my friends and family still live there. If time allows, I like to go back home and visit them. I can really take things easy there. Sometimes I visit my best friend and his little boy or we go to the cinema. I'm always surrounded by people that are important to me.

Giesing is the home of Bayern and 1860. Which one were you closest to?

I think I was a little closer to Bayern and Säbener Straße.

Nevertheless, you ended up at 1860.

I went the same way as my older brother. He was a role model for me in many respects and he too played for 1860.

Where did you start playing football?

Just on a pitch nearby. I played a lot when I was a kid, almost every day and night with my brother and my friends.

How is the Kraichgau different from Munich?

It's a lot quieter here. I can fully concentrate on my football. The media are a lot more relaxed here compared to Munich as well. The journalists there pretty much ambush the players and you're constantly under siege.

You're an American international despite playing for Germany at youth level. What influenced your decision?

Jürgen Klinsmann rang me up and asked if I saw it as a possibility and if I wanted to take a look at the setup there. I did and it really made an impression. I have a chance to play at the World Cup with the USA – that's a big aspiration for every player. On top of that, I have a good relationship with Jürgen – he still phones me to ask how I am. I've generally been well accepted there.

Bayern are coming to the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Sunday. As a former 1860-player you probably have some kind of relationship with FCB…

Yes of course but the past doesn't play a big role. Now it's about TSG and everyone is looking forward to the match. München are one of the best teams in the world and we want to show that we are better than our last few performances. There's a little something extra in it for me too because my best friend is a Bayern fan.

München are in great form. How difficult will it be on Sunday?

It's not all about the current form. It's always difficult against Bayern. At the moment they let the ball do the work and are very relaxed. It doesn't really matter who's on the pitch. It will be a game with lots of running and battling for us because we won't have a lot of the ball.

Is there perhaps a little less pressure against Bayern because no one expects anything?

Maybe a little because Bayern are the clear favourites but we're in a difficult situation and there are three points up for grabs in every game. Therefore it's a match like any other. It doesn't matter who the opponents are. The pressure is the same.

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