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Blick: Taulant Xhaka, is FC Basel a relegation candidate?
Taulant Xhaka: (thinks) Right now we are because we are last. But the distances are small. I’m confident we’ll get out of there. The best way to start is with a win in Lausanne on Sunday.
Is a single success experience enough to solve the problems?
Not that, but a win would be incredibly valuable for self-confidence, the last one was a long time ago (on July 30, 5:2 against Winterthur; editor). We are in a very important week.
Can FCB fight relegation?
I’ve been through a lot with FCB, but I’ve never experienced anything like this. One thing is certain: pointing the finger at others and passing the buck does not help.
How does the sports crisis affect you?
I struggle with myself, think a lot about what I can do better, what I need to convey to my young teammates – and I talk a lot with my brother Granit. He knows what pressure means and how to deal with it.
What does he advise you?
That the best way to silence the critics is through performance.
Speaking of which, will Granit’s return be unrealistic due to the sports crisis?
Especially now – but not because of our crisis. He’s just in too good a mood. Nothing against the Super League, but from today his skills would be wasted in Switzerland.
Did you think it was possible for FCB to crash to the bottom of the table?
Not at all. That’s why it was a shock to look at the table when we first visited for the last time. But I understand the reality and I’m ready for it.
Are these also your teammates who came to FCB with completely different ideas?
After the many conversations this week, I think everyone understands what happened.
Is the crash also the result of poor quality?
There is no doubt that we have quality. But talent alone is not enough. There are players without talent who have come a long way. Because they bite. And after two climbers you are not satisfied. Our players must also be aware that as long as we are last, no one is interested in them. That alone should be enough motivation to work hard.
Heiko Vogel was not disappointed with the performance after the 0-1 defeat against Servette. Her teammate Adrian Barisic says that at FCB you have to accept that you play poorly. Who do you agree with?
We are not playing badly per se. It works quite well from defense to midfield, but in the last twenty meters we are too inaccurate. And then with every negative experience the uncertainty becomes even greater.
Why are things even worse under Heiko Vogel than under Timo Schultz?
Judging from the results, I can’t disagree. But the atmosphere in the dressing room is good, the training is excellent and the boys accept the trainer’s input. Heiko Vogel is not the problem, we players need to finally implement what he tells us.
And why doesn’t it work?
None of us have ever been in this situation, the pressure is increasing. It’s like a blockade: you actually want to sprint backwards, but something is holding you back. We are paralyzed inside.
Does the team trust Heiko Vogel?
A hundred percent! I would tell you if it wasn’t so.
Was Timo Schultz’s dismissal justified?
Right or wrong – there are always two sides. A coach is judged on results that were not good. On the other hand, you might wonder whether we did everything on the field the way Timo wanted. As a player I will never comment on the dismissal of a coach.
The poor results under Heiko Vogel inevitably lead to the question of whether another coaching change is necessary.
We players believe in his philosophy. It looks very good in training, but not in the match. Like I said: purely a matter of your head. As a team we need time together with Heiko and we cannot give up.
After last season, you and the other key players wanted Heiko Vogel to stay as coach. Were you disappointed when he refused?
Honestly, yes. After the second leg of the quarter-final against Nice, I asked him to stay as coach. But I understood that he wanted more rest after the intense months. Let’s face it: Amdouni, Diouf, Calafiori, Burger, Ndoye – they all made great progress under Heiko and then moved abroad. If our current players are willing to listen to Heiko, they can too.
You are a player, but as a veteran you are also a big fan of FC Basel. Can you separate the roles?
I have to! Even though I can empathize with the fans, we are used to success in Basel. But as a player I can’t let my emotions guide me too much.
Should you curb your emotions?
Certainly. Harsh words are not well received by every player. I have to stay positive. After my career I will be in the Muttenzer curve and just be a fan.
What is it like to walk through the city in the current situation?
I feel a lot of support. This week a fan approached me while I was shopping and said he fully supported us. That gives me a good feeling, because it doesn’t happen automatically. At Ajax, for example, fans are taking to the barricades because of the crisis.
Can the mood also change in Basel?
After the match against Ouchy (0:3; editor) we saw that our fans can also be rightly angry. Therefore: It’s time to give something back to our fans.
After Servette’s match you said: “I don’t know if half of you understand what it’s about and what it means to wear the FCB jersey.”
After the final whistle we stood in front of the singing Muttenzer bend. Probably half of them didn’t understand what the fans were singing at that moment. Then I explained it to the boys. It is important that they understand the message.
Players who only see FCB as a stepping stone probably don’t care about the well-being of the club and the fans…
That really shouldn’t be the case. But yes, football has certainly changed. The goal used to be to play for FCB as long as possible. Young people think differently these days, and not just here. A good season – and you get lucrative offers and move on. This is a shame. If we can keep the team together for two or three years, I am convinced that success will return. And I think we now also have players who want to stay longer.
Is your own fate more important to your teammates than that of FCB?
No, I do not think so. And you certainly can’t throw everyone into the same pot. Like I said, it would be nice if someone or the other wants to achieve something here in the long term.
Do you personally take the bad mood home with you?
After a defeat I need a few hours of rest at home to process the match. My wife knows that and can deal with it.
What are you and the other leaders doing to pull the cart out of the mud?
This week we were all together in a boxing cellar. Let off some steam, just do something other than tactics and systems. And to talk in a different atmosphere with the players who are not in a good mood. But we, older players, cannot do it alone, it takes everyone.
There used to be FCB teams that met during crises to drink out of frustration. And then start again.
I wouldn’t necessarily say no to that. During the national team break we all met for dinner and had a good time. Now more than ever we need to work together as a team.
If you say it’s all in your head: should FCB go to a psycho doctor?
Personally I don’t need that, I have granite, my wife and my friends. But if a player wants to talk to a professional, he will certainly get support. And from what I’ve heard, those responsible are already planning something along those lines.
Is 6th place still realistic after 33 laps and a jump to the champion group?
You will receive an invoice when the time comes. We don’t have to talk about the table now. The only goal is to win games again.
Do you agree that Lausanne-Sport is the favorite against FCB on Sunday?
I wouldn’t say that. With all due respect, we are not playing against Manchester City or Real Madrid. They beat us in Basel, but it will be a completely different game now. They are also under pressure: if we win, we will be only one point behind Lausanne.
|
team
|
SP
|
T.D
|
PT
|
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
 FC Zurich
|
11
|
13
|
23
|
|
|
2
|
 BSC Young Boys
|
10
|
11
|
21
|
|
|
3
|
 FC St. Gallen
|
11
|
5
|
18
|
|
|
4
|
 FC Lucerne
|
11
|
0
|
18
|
|
|
5
|
 Napkin FC
|
11
|
-1
|
16
|
|
|
6
|
 FC Lugano
|
10
|
2
|
15
|
|
|
7
|
 FC Winterthur
|
11
|
-1
|
15
|
|
|
8th
|
 Yverdon Sports FC
|
11
|
-5
|
15
|
|
|
9
|
 Grasshopper Club Zurich
|
11
|
-2
|
11
|
|
|
10
|
 FC Lausanne Sport
|
11
|
-5
|
9
|
|
|
11
|
 FC Stade Lausanne Ouchy
|
10
|
-8th
|
9
|
|
|
12
|
 FC Basel
|
10
|
-9
|
5
|
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
