Vanda Bremen striker Nicholas filkluger was the Bundesliga gold boots last season, and enkunku shared this honor with him. Another reason why Phil Kruger has attracted much attention is that the Yunda Bremen he played for was a promotion last season. Obviously, Phil Kruger, who scored 19 goals last season, played an important role in the team’s stay in the Bundesliga. In the first 14 games of the 2022/23 season, Phil Kruger scored an amazing 10 goals, which also attracted the attention of German national team coach Hans Frick, the latter enlisted the 30-year-old veteran for the first time and participated in the later Qatar World Cup.
Phil Kruger has been very busy in the past few years. He said that he really wants to keep quiet and spend his holidays in remote areas far away from tourists. The precious time of accompanying his wife and daughter will make him forget football temporarily, which will also sink his mind and accumulate his strength for new challenges.
In the interview with us, Phil Kruger analyzed the reasons behind the German national team’s downfall in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and reviewed his performance with the club last season, he also explained to us the wonderful chemical reaction between himself and Bremen’s dedicated partner Duke Shi.
Q: In the past year, you have experienced upgrading, the first show of the national team, participating in the World Cup and then winning the Bundesliga gold boots. How do you adjust your State step by step? How do you forget the troubles brought by the World Cup?
Phil Kruger: in the first week, I couldn’t really calm down, because I had to ensure the amount of training so that I could stay in the national team. It is hard to imagine that there will be such a crazy 5-6 weeks at the end of the season, because I have been absent for 5 to 6 weeks, which has a certain impact on my enthusiasm and physical condition, so I train hard and keep good condition in the national team. We had a very special two weeks. We trained actively but only played three games. After the game, my family and I went to the Greek road card Island for a three-week holiday. Finally, I can relax well. I stay with my daughter all day and have no time to think about other things.
Q: What is the most important thing for you during your vacation?
Phil Kruger: The most important thing for me is to keep quiet. I don’t want my life to be chaotic. I don’t want to bear pressure during holidays. I don’t like parties either. I prefer to find a peaceful place to relax, bask in the sun and stay with my family. I think this is the real meaning of vacation and the benefit that vacation can bring to me. After all, it is really difficult to play football.
Q: During your vacation, do you want to live in isolation (seclusion)?
Phil Kruger: not all, but I do avoid busy metropolises.
Q: In terms of the past season, from the perspective of sports, what is your most unforgettable?
Phil Kruger: I think we performed very well in the first half of the season. All opponents were not confident enough to score goals. We performed well in every match, and many of our teammates played the best performance in their career. But with the arrival of the World Cup, my dream ended with regret. Although the result was not satisfactory, I also proved myself. I think the second half of the season is too harsh on the players. Many goals that could have been scored can no longer be scored, which means that the points begin to decrease and the the score of the match each game is very close. It can be seen that the opponents are also very tired. In many games, we can take the lead in scoring goals, but we can’t grasp the advantage. We played far less than the first half of the season, but in the absence of 5 or 6 games, I also scored 6 goals, personally, I am very satisfied with myself. We are now preparing for next season, and we hope to find the status of the first half of last season.
Q: Is 2022-23 the best season in your career?
Phil Kruger: Yes, after all, all the data shows this view. Besides considering my performance in the Bundesliga, I also need to consider my performance in the national team. I scored 7 goals in the national team. I am very proud, this is why I would say it may be my best season.
Q: This is your first time to participate in the World Cup, but the result is not satisfactory. What do you think?
Phil Kruger: I think this is a very strange feeling. To be honest, it is great to be able to perform well in the competition and play my role. On a personal level, my performance should be very good. However, the team always comes first in football matches. When the team succeeds, each player gains more, but unfortunately, we have not done it. Self-reflection and self-criticism are necessary. I believe the German team can find itself in the future.
Q: The 2006 World Cup was held in Germany. Now the European Cup next year is getting closer and closer. Do you expect it?
Phil Kruger: 2006 is really unforgettable. The current football culture is different from that time. I would like to know if there is still such a happy atmosphere at that time. I hope the European Cup will be as wonderful as 2006, but it depends on the spiritual strength of German fans. Compared with other countries, the special thing about German clubs is that no matter what the situation is on the court, everyone will continue to support the team, which is exactly what the German national team lacks. Some people only support you when you are in good condition, and will no longer support you when your condition drops. I hope that no matter what the result is, there are many people who can support the national team, no one can question our desire to win, which sounds harsh, but as a German, everyone has the responsibility to become a fan of the national team and support his country.
Q: What does German gold boots mean to you?
Phil Kruger: very special. Of course, this is due to many factors. After all, Harlander and Levandowski left, and Nkunku was also injured for a long time. I’m sorry to miss the five games at the end of the season. It would be more special if I could be the only winner and not share it with others.
Q: Where did you put lock and load spray?
Phil Kruger: now it is on the dining table in my living room so that I can see it every day. Of course, just where to put it temporarily, I haven’t thought of the specific display place yet.
Q: Bremen lost 64 goals last season. Does the coaching staff have any plans to change this problem in the new season?
Phil Kruger: I think the problem in the second half of the season is obvious. We lost too many games and lost a lot of points. The most important thing for me is to focus on team writing, not just defense. However, we need to solve these problems together, because these mistakes lead us to get into trouble. We need to work hard on the details. The head coach knows the problem clearly. He also explained it to us through video analysis. Everyone has received corresponding guidance. As a team, we are working hard to correct mistakes, if we can solve these problems, we can get a higher ranking in the new season.
Q: How has Keita performed so far?
Phil Kruger: whether for the club or for the players, it is a happy thing to have such players join. I hope his joining can improve the level of the whole team. During the training, I saw his ability and his inner desire. Personally, I think we get along very well, his passing is always easy to find me and he is very friendly to his teammates. Keeping healthy Yogueta, his energy is huge, and now he will miss the first two games of the season, which is very regrettable. We need him to maintain his best condition, give full play to his advantages in the competition and show his ability. We need a little patience, but we are really happy to have him.
Q: today, you will play Bayern at home. How do you feel about this?
Phil Kruger: I am relaxed. I think it will be a wonderful match. The stadium will be shocked by us again. Please wait and see if we can cause difficulties to Bayern, start the season at its best.
Q: the 60th anniversary of the Bundesliga, what is your personal Bundesliga moment?
Phil Kruger: The Bundesliga has always had a group of stars. They will make you want to go to the game, so Germany can have such a high quality league and we can attract world-class players. As a German, it is very good to play top league in his own country. The Bundesliga is one of the five major leagues in the world, because we have the best fans in the world, the loudest cheer sound, and they create the best atmosphere, other leagues cannot compete with Bundesliga in terms of fan culture, which is also the most special existence of Bundesliga.
(Li Baqiao)
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Li Baqiao column: Football world from Bundesliga to feelings