Fanshop
Nadiem Amiri: “Playing pretty football won’t be enough”
Hello Nadiem. You’ve had a lot going on in the last few days. First the U21 training camp in Grassau, then your contract extension with TSG and yesterday a group team meal between the U21s and the first team. Your first match at the European Championship in Poland kicks off on Wednesday. How are you getting on?
Nadiem Amiri: Very well. Sure, a lot has been happening but it has all been positive. I am pleased that I have clarified my future and that I can entirely focus my mind on the tournament. Then my sole concentration will turn back to TSG.
Were you able to use your days off to recover?
Amiri: I spent my days off at home with my family and was taking it very slow. I was having treatment to make sure I was in peak condition to travel to Krakow. I have recovered exactly as I wanted to as we prepare for the competition.
You have your first match of the championship against the Czech Republic on Sunday. This is your first major tournament with the U21 team, the excitement must be big…
Amiri: Huge I would even say. Not just me, but all of us cannot wait for the tournament. The atmosphere in the team is fantastic. They are all great guys, a really funny bunch. We are having a good time together. When things are going well within the team, then it is even more enjoyable to go to a major tournament together.
Your first opponent in the group stage is the Czechs. Italy and Denmark complete the rest of Group C. What do you reckon your chances are?
Amiri: This is a very strong group. I view Italy as our biggest competition but we need to give it everything against the Czechs and Denmark. It will not be enough simply to play pretty football, we need to put everything into each challenge. But we are also aware of our own strengths. We have very good individuals and many have already been playing regular Bundesliga football, collecting experience at the top level. Moreover, the team has had a core group of players for quite some time now and we work well together. I think we can use that to play at a really good level. I thoroughly believe we are capable of that.
