Matthias Ostrzolek played in the Bundesliga for eight years.
He recently announced the end of his career.
In the live interview, the ex-professional talks about his future plans.
Munich – Augsburg, Hamburg and Hanover.
Matthias Ostrzolek has played for various clubs during his career.
Again and again the 32-year-old had to deal with the ups and downs of professional football.
Ostrzolek actually didn't want to join a club.
As a five-year-old boy, he found it much more fun to play soccer with his brother.
Alone in a club with strangers – the native of Bochum didn’t like that at all.
“My parents wanted me to join the club.
I didn't think that was so cool because my brother wasn't there anymore," Ostrzolek reported in a live interview with Fußball Vorort.
"I was never the greatest talent in my year": Ostrzolek was almost denied a breakthrough
In the end Ostrzolek could be convinced.
"After a year, my parents finally made it.
Another year later he went from a smaller club directly to VfL Bochum.” After Ostrzolek went through the entire youth there, he also made the breakthrough to the professionals.
However, it didn't look like it at first.
“I was never the biggest talent in my year.
I was in the second team, but the jump to the first team is really big.
The first season was catastrophic for me,” reported Ostrzolek about his first experiences with the men.
Matthias Ostrzolek: In 2012, FC Augsburg made the final leap into the Bundesliga
At the same time, the left-back was already looking for an alternative and started studying.
But then the liberation was waiting.
“Clubs and consultants then got in touch with me about the U21 national cup.
For the time being I then joined the professionals in the 2nd Bundesliga at VfL Bochum,” reported Ostrzolek.
After the rise with the home club did not succeed, things went worse again.
Both for VfL and for Ostrzolek.
However, a new opportunity presented itself, because FC Augsburg got in touch on the return journey from the training camp.
It was clear to Ostrzolek that he didn't want to miss this opportunity.
With a bit of luck, the defender immediately made his breakthrough in the Bundesliga.
“Actually, I was only scheduled there as a backup.
But then the other defender got injured and I played straight away,” said Ostrzolek about his breakthrough.
At Hamburger SV, Ostrzolek experienced the downside of professional football for the first time
After the time at FC Augsburg it was time for a new path.
Ostrzolek decided on Hamburger SV. “The time had come for me to get to know a bigger club.
HSV inspired me.” At such a big club, the young professional was confronted with the downsides of professional football for the first time.
“The time there was very intense.
It was beautiful, but also exhausting for the head, because the attention was simply much higher.
If things don't go so well in terms of sport, there's a lot of pressure, of course.” However, the defender seems to have mastered the obstacles well.
After three seasons at HSV, there is a final move to Hannover 96.
"Despite a good performance, you didn't feel so valued."
Matthew Ostrzolek
There, too, Ostrzolek is confronted with some problems that developed off the pitch.
“The Ultras made a lot of noise against Martin Kind.
Despite a good performance, you didn't feel valued.” After two seasons, Hannover was relegated to the 2nd Bundesliga.
There, the native of Bochum experienced his sporting low point.
In his third year at Hannover 96, Ostrzolek is suddenly not treated the way he used to
After he had to give up his position in the starting eleven, Ostrzolek suddenly seemed to be treated differently.
“The third year in Hanover was very difficult.
Being treated like that as a player was difficult to deal with.
It was a difficult experience.” After playing for FC Admira Mödling in the Austrian Bundesliga until recently, he ended his eventful professional career.
The defender has been playing for VfB Hallbergmoos in the Bayernliga since March.
Ostrzolek is mainly focused on a new career path.
It is still unclear whether the 32-year-old will go into player advice or coaching.
(Louisa Genthe)
