“500,000 celebrated on the street”: FCZ professional became champion with Klopp’s BVB

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Blick: Marc Hornschuh, what is currently happening in your hometown of Dortmund?
Marc horn shoe: There is not much to do in Dortmund all year round other than football and BVB. Now it is even more extreme, now there is definitely only one topic of conversation. Parties are being prepared everywhere, the whole city is all hot.

Aren’t you worried about ruining it against Mainz on Saturday?
No. I’m pretty sure BVB can’t take that away anymore. Nevertheless, I will root for the TV here in Zurich and occasionally call one of my old buddies in Dortmund or my brother who still lives there.

You know from your own experience what happens at a championship party in Dortmund. You were part of the squad for the 2011 title. Tell me?
Of the approximately 600,000 inhabitants, about 500,000 were on the streets. To be part of this gigantic party around the Borsigplatz, to experience it is unique. And for me as a boy from Dortmund of course very special. For hours we were driven through the crowd in a motorcade. In between I saw a familiar face again. I still get goosebumps when I think about it. It was amazing

You were never used in the championship season. Were you still fully integrated?
Yes, I was fully integrated, always training and occasionally sitting on the bench during games. Back then, Jürgen Klopp managed to make us into a family, so to speak. We were all super good friends. That’s why I still feel part of the BVB family today.

What else did Klopp tell you?
a lot of. But the first thing that comes to mind is the back pressure he drilled into us every day. Klopp believed that the best chance of winning the ball is right after losing the ball. If someone lowered their head or got angry after losing the ball, Klopp would get very vocal. That burned in me.

Did Klopp scare you too?
I was 17 when I first joined the pro training camp – Klopp had just taken over. I wasn’t scared, but of course you approach the task with great reverence and respect. But those who are anxious are in the wrong place in professional football. You have to show that you are there and accelerate. In general, the environment was not such that you should be afraid. Everyone was well received, it was a great group.

What does BVB mean to you?
I grew up with BVB. My father used to take me to the stadium as a boy. You could actually join BVB as an eight-year-old from the U9. However, my father said it was still a little too early. It wasn’t until I was eleven that I was allowed to transfer to the U12s at BVB.

Who were your role models?
In the early nineties that was midfielder Tomas Rosicky. He always stood out with his dribbles. And I always thought striker Marcio Amoroso was really cool.

One of your teammates was Robert Lewandowski. We assume that in practice you often had to defend yourself against him.
Clearly. It was a great experience to have to prove yourself against this super striker and the perfect training. I learned from him what discipline means. Before training, he was always in the weight room. It was also not easy against Lucas Barrios, he was a bit bigger than Lewandowski.

When BVB became champion again in 2012, you were only there for the first half of the season. Do you regret being loaned to Ingolstadt in January?
In retrospect, that was certainly not the best step in my career, Ingolstadt was in the middle of a relegation battle. This loan was not a success. Maybe it would have been smarter if I had stayed with BVB and tried to assert myself there. But I decided to do it then – as a young guy you want to play. There is nothing to regret.

It is heard that her contract with FCZ will be extended for another year.
To belong? We are in good talks and I will be very happy if it works out. I feel very comfortable here. The city, the club and its fans – I can only say positive things. It’s just great here.

Are you going to Dortmund for a few days after the end of the season?
No, my wife and I reside in Zurich and no longer travel. Soon we will have a son.

Source : Blick