1/8
Jordan Siebatcheu moved to Union Berlin in the summer.
It took Jordan Siebatcheu less than two seasons to make a name for himself in Swiss football. The former Young Boys player (88 games, 42 goals) now plays for Union Berlin under Urs Fischer from Zurich. Blick meets the US international in the stadium An der Alten Försterei, where the 26-year-old already feels at home.
Blick: On Saturday you will play the Berlin Derby Union against Hertha. You meet your former YB teammate Wilfried Kanga. Are you still in contact with each other?
Jordan Siebatcheu: Yes, we’ll see each other. I ate with him this week. We got along well in Bern, even though we played in the same position. When I heard that he was coming to Berlin, I sent him messages immediately. A derby is a derby. We have to win against Hertha. We have to go to them and play our football. Wilfried and I know that we will give everything for 90 minutes without having a problem with each other afterwards. It’s still football and we’re still buddies after that.
How is your new life in Berlin going?
Very good, from day one. I didn’t know anyone when I arrived here, but I was integrated very quickly. It’s really like I’ve already been part of the team, like we already knew each other. I’m glad I came to Berlin, which suits me a bit better. It’s a bit busier than Bern, which is a little too quiet (laughs). There’s no harm in hearing a little noise every now and then.
You also met a Swiss coach again in Berlin: Urs Fischer.
Things are going really well with him. We can exchange ideas easily because he also speaks French. He is a passionate trainer. You can see that on the edge of the field: He is fully involved. But off the pitch he’s more of a quiet person, joking and laughing. He passes that on to the players. If there is a problem, you can talk about it. He says: “Whatever it is, I’d rather you talk to me about it than eat it inside you.” Once he came in after a game he wouldn’t let me play in and he voluntarily explained why. This way you can better understand and accept it.
And as far as the language is concerned, rather High German or Swiss German?
“Good German”. It’s not perfect yet, but we’re working on it. I tried to understand Swiss German, but I couldn’t (sighs). Here I was told that even the Germans are struggling.
Have you noticed any differences between Germany and Switzerland in terms of the way they play?
Switzerland is something like Germany’s little brother, both at work and at play. But here it is much more intense. Training is like having a game every day.
When you came from France, did you see Switzerland as a springboard?
I chose Switzerland because I wanted to come to Germany beforehand. When I was at Stade Rennes, I had the opportunity to go directly to the Bundesliga. But I wanted to arrive prepared and take an intermediate step. Things were clear for the club and for me in Bern: I came to reorient myself, to get back in the mood for football and to score goals. That worked pretty well (laughs). That’s why my move to Berlin went quickly. That was pre-programmed.
How do you rate your first half of the season at Union?
Average I would say. It started very well, with two goals and two assists in four games. Then I was slowed down by small physical problems. Above all, I had to adapt to this intensity. I still remember the first training camp, it was super tough. I have to prepare well for the rest of the season and then it will come back on its own. Without breaking my head.
Union – Hertha 3: 1: Ex-YB top scorer Siebatcheu can also do it in the Bundesliga(04:04)
And in the dressing room? We know that music is important to you.
The atmosphere is perfect. You didn’t even have to get the upper hand with the music, they don’t overdo it with German sounds, we listen to everything. Once they were playing French music in Berlin and someone shouted: “Jordy, this is for you!” These little things make you feel welcome in the group.
What about the stadium An der Alten Försterei? This is a very special place.
I was told the history of the club, how the stadium was built (about 2,500 fans volunteered to work on the renovation, Amn. ed.). Every time we play here it’s beautiful. In last weekend’s game (3-1 vs Hoffenheim, ed.) we were down 0-1, but it was as if the fans knew the game was about to change. No matter what happens, they will always be there. Even a simple friendly game turns into a European Cup match. My relatives have been here and said it was one of the best stadiums they have ever experienced in terms of atmosphere.
Union was at the top of the Bundesliga. Was the excitement in the group?
No not at all. The players, the coaches, the fans, everyone stayed down to earth. You often hear the expression «game after game», but it really is true here. When we lose, the game is already out of our heads.
They are still second behind Bayern, three points behind. What else can you wish for this season?
The only clear goal is to stay up. Anything else is just a bonus. When I arrived I thought that after the good last season and qualifying for the Europa League, we would strive for it again. But no. We had another meeting after the game on Saturday where we talked about staying up.
And you, don’t you want to go back to the Champions League?
Sure, the Champions League, the anthem, the best teams in Europe: everyone dreams of it. Once you’ve played there, you’ll want to play there again and again. Now we can do it!
Union takes a stand against racism
There are clear words that Union Berlin published on social media on Thursday evening: “We’ve had enough, the clear message is: racists, piss off!” With the message, the Bundesliga club condemns racist comments aimed at Union players. In addition, the association posts a snippet of examples – and writes in large letters: “We together against racism – iron!” The gross insults were also directed at ex-YB striker Jordan Siebatcheu, who recently missed a penalty for Union. Siebatcheu responded by reposting the Instagram post from his club.
There are clear words that Union Berlin published on social media on Thursday evening: “We’ve had enough, the clear message is: racists, piss off!” With the message, the Bundesliga club condemns racist comments aimed at Union players. In addition, the association posts a snippet of examples – and writes in large letters: “We together against racism – iron!” The gross insults were also directed at ex-YB striker Jordan Siebatcheu, who recently missed a penalty for Union. Siebatcheu responded by reposting the Instagram post from his club.
Union Berlin – Leipzig 2: 1: Siebatcheu stays cool in front of the Leipzig goal(05:06)
█ █ █ █
|
team |
SP |
TD |
pt |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
8th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
13 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
14 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
15 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
17 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
18 |
0 |
0 |
0 |