Dominik Szoboszlai had to wait eight months for his debut for RB Leipzig due to a protracted injury. Now the Hungarian takes off. He regrets that the duel with BVB (Saturday, 6.30 p.m. in LIVETICKER) does not lead to a reunion with his former companion Erling Haaland.
In conversation with SPOX and goal The 21-year-old described his difficult path back after a protracted adductor injury after moving from Red Bull Salzburg to RB Leipzig at the beginning of the year put him out of action for over six months.
Since the start of the season, however, the Hungarian international has made headlines above all in terms of sport: he scored six goals in 14 competitive games and prepared three more. In the 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain, Szoboszlai secured the first point for RB in the Champions League with his converted penalty in stoppage time, but he could not prevent the premature knockout either. In the Bundesliga, the runner-up is only eighth before the game against BVB on the 11th day of the Bundesliga. In the interview, Szoboszlai talks about the reasons for the bumpy start, the secret of his shooting technique and his former Salzburg colleague Erling Haaland.
Dominik Szoboszlai, your coach Jesse Marsch said after the 1-1 draw in Frankfurt: “We are currently not one of the teams that are fighting for the championship” – how do you see that? Given that you are ten points behind FC Bayern, have you already written off the title?
Dominik Szoboszlai: Personally, I will never give up and I will always fight no matter what. Our goal is and remains that we land as high as possible.
Where do you see the reasons for the bumpy start?
Szoboszlai: Of course there was a certain upheaval in the team and the staff, but we’re still looking ahead. We will not give up and I think we are on the right track.
RB Leipzig: Szoboszlai suffered “very hard”
How do you personally see the first games, after all, for you it was also the first ever games for RB Leipzig, although you have been there since last winter. You could be quite happy with your six goals and three assists in all competitions, right?
Szoboszlai: In the first few games I needed a little more time, but I’m slowly getting in and on the level that I expect of myself. My goal is to keep this level and stay there.
You moved to Leipzig last winter, but had to wait over six months for your debut. How difficult was that time for you and how hard was it to get back on the pitch?
Szoboszlai: Very hard and very hard. When a 20 year old boy goes from one club to another and thinks, “Okay, now I’ve taken the next step and I have to work hard to play” – and then comes an injury like that! I was out eight months. I don’t think it’s easy for anyone, no matter how old you are. Still, I learned from it. I did it and that’s a thing of the past. Now I just focus on my health and that we are successful.
What helped you in rehab that you did not lose heart?
Szoboszlai: It wasn’t easy, my mood was sometimes bad, sometimes good. Still, it was the only way to get back. I always made that clear to myself and finally managed to do it.
Szoboszlai: “I have no advantage under Jesse Marsch”
It was a bit strange because you called Julian Nagelsmann a “top coach” when you moved, but you didn’t play a game under him. How do you assess the situation that you are now back playing under your previous Salzburg coach, Jesse Marsch?
Szoboszlai: With Julian, I might have done a training session or two. Then Jesse came over. I’ve known him for a long time, we had two successful years in Salzburg, we won the trophy and the championship title in the Austrian Bundesliga. I have to fight for my place at RB Leipzig as much as in Salzburg. Nobody has a permanent place in the team. I’ve read a lot of times that I supposedly had an advantage over Jesse. And I can clearly say: No, I have no advantage and I don’t want one either. I always want to fight for my place and that is clearly my claim.
Szoboszlai on Haaland: “Phoned a few times”
You also played with Erling Haaland for a year in Salzburg together with whom you got along very well on and off the pitch. The reunion on the field on Saturday at the game against BVB is now canceled due to his injury. Did you have contact? Have you wished him a speedy recovery?
Szoboszlai: Yes, I was in contact with him and I also wished him a speedy recovery. We spoke on the phone a couple of times.
How much do you regret that he can’t be on the pitch?
Szoboszlai: I focus on myself. Everyone has their own career. It’s still a shame that he’s injured, I don’t wish that to anyone. Maybe you need a situation like this in your career to come back even stronger.
You know him very well and also know what Dortmund is missing as a result. Does this also increase Leipzig’s chances of taking something away from Dortmund?
Szoboszlai: Of course, Erling is difficult to replace, but BVB is still getting points and can replace him a bit. But we shouldn’t just concentrate on Dortmund, but on ourselves. We have to bring such a mentality onto the pitch that we can keep the three points against Dortmund at home.
Szoboszlai on Puskas comparison: “wants to go my own way”
One of the keys could be your extraordinary shooting technique. What’s the secret behind it – do you train it specifically or is it just talent?
Szoboszlai: I trained with my father a lot. I also have very small feet and small feet are easier to shoot. I just trained a lot – that’s it!
In your home country, Hungary, you have already been compared to Ferenc Puskas. How do you deal with such comparisons?
Szoboszlai: It’s a very big name and I have said many times that I have all the respect for him and for what he has achieved, what he has done for Hungary and what a legend he is there. But I want to go my own way and focus on myself.
