Andreas Voglsammer has not been in the starting line-up in either the Bundesliga or the Conference League.
Does that bother him?
How does he like the capital and what, if you go, is the Max Kruse guy?
Dorfen / Berlin
- It's that fast in football. Having just celebrated relegation with Arminia Bielefeld, Andreas Voglsammer is playing his second game on a European level this Thursday: for Union Berlin. He moved to the capital city club in July and has been giving full throttle ever since. “For others, a weight room is a torture chamber, for him a hobby room,” wrote the Berliner Kurier about the 29-year-old from Dorfen during the strenuous preparation phase.
And "Vogi", his nickname in the team, also delivered in the games.
He scored regularly in friendly matches, and last week at Finnish Kuopion PS he scored the 4-0 goal in the Conference League - albeit as a substitute.
He has not been in the starting line-up in either the Bundesliga or the Conference League.
Does that bother him?
How does he like the capital and what, if you go, is the Max Kruse type?
We asked the Dorfener.
Mr Voglsammer, now we and Arminia Bielefeld were so happy about staying in the league. And now you switch?
I was with Arminia on the Alm for five and a half years. It was time for me to change the air.
It is also really awesome to play at the Alte Försterei.
Union Berlin might also pay a little more, right?
You don't talk about money.
Just this much: Arminia is not that badly positioned either, if you look at the newcomers.
At Arminia there is already coal.
But that's not what it was about me.
My decision was a gut feeling.
I'm just really up for my new club.
Nothing against Arminia, but from a footballing point of view, Union is already a step or two further.
What do you mean?
The association is more stable.
The quality of the team is a bit higher.
So not another relegation battle.
We also have to first see that we get the 40 points.
We already know where we come from.
In terms of budget and market value, we are not one of the top teams, we are a bit lower down there.
Hey, this is an international competition.
You travel to other countries, get to know European fan culture.
(...) You just have to see who else is in the competition: Tottenham, AS Roma - I would like to play in their stadiums.
Andreas Voglsammer on the Conference League
One last look back to Bielefeld: What do you miss most?
Of course, I like to think back to the people with whom I have experienced a lot over the past few years.
You're looking forward to seeing you again.
But my new teammates are cool too.
Which brings us to Berlin. Have you already settled in in this city?
I live relatively close to the center.
I thought to myself: if I already live in such a big city, I would also like to experience something of it.
So far, however, there has been little time for this.
First there was the move and the preparation for the season, now we're also in the Conference League.
That's why the focus for me is first of all on getting used to the team.
What are your personal goals for this season?
Mei, it's such a thing with personal goals.
As a striker, don't you set yourself a certain number of goals?
I'm out of this age.
Whereby: I should surpass the two goals of the season last season.
I already have the goal (laughs).
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In the Bundesliga, the 29-year-old from Dorfen was substituted on against Bayern Leverkusen (left, in a duel with Charles Aranguiz) and at TSG Hoffenheim.
© imago images / Matthias Koch
You were injured there for many months. How are you now?
I have no complaints.
It's all healed, I'm in top shape.
I want to help the team and convince the coach with my performance that it is difficult for him to do without me.
If you work hard, the other will come naturally.
They had a strong preparation with a few goals, but have not been in the starting XI in the competitive games so far. Did that come as a surprise to you?
We just have an enormous quality on the offensive.
We don't even need to talk about Max Kruse's class.
Then Union could sign Taiwo (Awoniyi, the editor).
Kevin Behrens scored incredibly well in the 2nd division.
Anthony Ujah, Cedric Teuchert - we are really well staffed.
Of course I want to play, but I just have to wait for my chance.
If the team is doing well - and Max and Taiwo are doing really very well right now - then I won't be a stinky boot.
I'm old enough to know it won't do any good.
How is Max Kruse like?
An absolutely cool sock that needs a certain amount of freedom.
But he delivers.
A really good guy who pays back with performance.
You delivered straight away and scored in the first game of the Conference League.
Yes, in my first international competitive game.
That made me very happy.
With the kick-off, every stadium is the same for me.
This is a meadow with two gates and four corner patrols.
And then for me it's all about the game.
Andreas Voglsammer
With all due respect, the Conference League is being laughed at.
I don't care.
Hey, this is an international competition.
You travel to other countries, get to know European fan culture.
The Finns were blatant outsiders, but this is a mega-cool club.
And we won't underestimate him in the second leg either.
After all, we want to get ahead.
You just have to see who else is in the competition: Tottenham, AS Roma - I would like to play in their stadiums.
Football in great stadiums - is that one of the reasons why you play at Union now?
It would now be unfair to the Arminia fans, because they are also outstanding, absolutely top.
But yes, I'm looking forward to the atmosphere in the Alte Försterei.
I saw them first hand at away games.
That always impressed me.
But to be honest: every stadium is the same for me when the whistle kicks off.
This is a meadow with two gates and four corner patrols.
And then for me it's all about the game.
The derby against Hertha should be a special game. Can you feel that already?
Not really.
That will probably come when the game comes up.
The real rival of the Union is actually the BFC Dynamo.
There are also a few kilometers between the Union in Köpenick and Hertha.
Berlin is also very big.
How does this city feel to someone who grew up in the country?
It's a huge city with an incredible amount of traffic. Anyone who says he's not in the mood for something like this is your own fault. You just have to get involved. I love to do that. You see very extraordinary people here, very unusual clothing styles. It's all very interesting. And to be honest: Berlin is so big, on the other hand even Munich is just a kloaner Schoaß.
