Rieder does it differently than Jashari: “I benefit from the national U21 team.”

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Strong handshake, smile on face. When Fabian Rieder appeared for the Blick interview at the national team’s U21 hotel in Neuchâtel, the Swiss midfield jewel looked pleased. No trace of frustration about not being called up for the A-Nati. On Friday, the man of 15 million scored a brace in a 5-0 win against Armenia: on Tuesday they continue their journey to the 2025 European Championship against Romania.

Fabian Rieder, when you heard that you had to go to the U21s, did you hesitate for a long time?
Fabian Rieder: No, not for a second. Wearing the Swiss jersey is always an honor.

But the wish for November was a team for the A-Nati?
Yeah right! Being part of the most important national team is what I demand of myself. But the competition is enormous, especially in my position in the middle of midfield. And I’m still young, I can still play for the U21s and I know that I will also be used here. If I continue like this, sooner or later my time in the senior national team will come.

Would you rather be a student in the A-team or a leader in the U21?
Both have their advantages. I can learn a lot in training from players like Granit Xhaka or Remo Freuler. My role in the U21 is completely different. Here the coach wants me to take the lead and make the difference in every match. Sascha S Tauch asks a lot of me and I like that.

On the Monday before the selection announcement, A-Nati’s coaching staff informed the shaky candidates that it would more likely be the U21s. What were you told?
That I am being closely monitored and that I now play an important role in the future plans. If I impress with my performance at the U21 level and at the clubs, I will be called up for the A-Nati. It was also indicated once again that it is of great importance for the association that the U21s qualify for the European Championships for the third time in a row. Everyone benefits from this: we players will have a big stage in Slovakia in the summer of 2025 and the reputation of Swiss football will continue to improve.

Ardon Jashari has informed the SFV that he is not available for the U21 national team. What do you think of that?
I just concentrate on myself and the matches with the U21s.

If you look at the U21 group: the goal should be first place and direct qualification for the European Championship, okay?
Agreed! With our results so far we are well in the race.

Change of subject: You scored your first goal for Stade Rennes before the Nati break. Have you finally arrived?
The first goal gives another push. Anyway, apart from ankle problems in October, things are going very well so far. The teammates are all nice guys. I now know why the team leader and the coach told me that they attach great importance to character. There isn’t a teammate I don’t get along with. After just a few days someone told me that my girlfriend was welcome to play with him. As a family man, I really appreciate these kinds of gestures.

Are you happy that your girlfriend came to Rennes with you?
Very happy and grateful. Otherwise I would be too lonely (laughs). We have taken over a furnished apartment in the center from a former Rennes player. The city is friendly and orderly, with friendly people.

Rennes paid 15 million francs for you. Do you feel pressure in this area?
So far the feedback from the team leader and coach has been positive. My influence on the game should continually increase. At the same time, I and everyone are aware that the competition in midfield is very fierce; a player in my position was also signed for 20 million. We play European, have a lot of matches, I come to my matches and don’t stress myself if I’m not in the starting line-up.

Why was it Rennes? And not Gladbach or another Bundesliga club?
It’s no secret that I would have liked to move to the Bundesliga. There was contact with Gladbach and two or three other clubs. But players had to be sold there first. Rennes first contacted my advisor in May. In the summer I started looking at the club more specifically and realized: Rennes is a great club that – sorry – plays great football and is an ideal springboard to the absolute top.

Have you received any information from Swiss former Rennes players Alex Frei and Gelson Fernandes?
Gelson sent my advisor a voice message this summer and was thrilled. I also spoke to Jordan Siebatcheu (ex-teammate at YB; editor). Although things didn’t go well for him personally in Rennes, he only reported positive things, which says a lot. Once my mother was upstairs with my stepfather. And when they came back, they said they felt very comfortable in the city and with the people at the club. Then it was clear: that’s what I’m going to do!

The change did not take place until the end of August. Did you already expect to stay at YB?
Another season in Switzerland would have been okay. But for YB, me and the people around me it was clear: in order to further develop myself and compete every day, it would be important to enter the top class. To be honest, the summer was intense: the public expected the change, and so did I. I was mentally exhausted from the doubles season with YB and the U21 European Championships. But despite everything, I had to perform with YB so that we could qualify for the Champions League.

What worked then…
Being able to say goodbye to the club I loved in this way was like a fairytale. But after that my batteries were completely empty.

Requesting an honest answer: Were you born moving from the Super League to a top league?
Yes, yes (laughs). Physically I was one of the best at YB. But in France everything is one level faster, stronger, bigger. Every opponent has an extremely high level. You hardly have any time in the game, the passes are much sharper. And the movement sequences are key: if you’re wrong against teams like Paris St. Germain, they’ll beat you with a pass.

Source : Blick