'Perhaps I'll bring them luck as well'

Herr von Thurn und Taxis, you will be alongside Cedric Pick on Werks11 Radio for the game in Munich on Saturday. How did this come about?
"When Cedric politely asked if I was available a couple of weeks ago, I thought to myself: I always really enjoy commentating so why not? It seems to be a regular thing that I get asked by club radio stations: Last year Borussia Mönchengladbach, then Eintracht Frankfurt and now Bayer Leverkusen. Funnily enough, another game against Bayern Munich."

Can you explain the last bit, please?
"Well, there's certainly a background to it: Since 1971, that is at the start of my journalistic career at Bayerischer Rundfunk, I've worked with Bayern and also been there for their biggest successes. That produces a certain proximity to the club and you get a certain insight. So it's logical that you end up becoming an expert." (He laughs)

You started working on the radio and later did commentaries for television. What are the big differences?
"There are fundamental differences and you can't really compare the two. As the thing you don't need on television is the ability to describe. In contrast, it's indispensable for good radio reporting to present the listener with a description of what's happening and to paint pictures. You don't need that on TV as the viewer sees everything and that makes it more about commenting in the true sense the word."

You retired two years ago. What role does sport – and football in particular – play in your life now?
"Of course, I'm still very interested. If you've worked in this field for nearly 50 years then you can't suddenly stop at the drop of a hat. It's an absolute passion and the whole profession is a real passion. So I can't just say: 'So, now I'm 67, I'm off' and I'm only going to go to the theatre, concerts or to the opera.' Obviously I'm not involved so intensively now but when I get a request like the one from Bayer 04 then I slip back into my preparation mode that I know so well and I’m happy to work hard on again. I will be well prepared!" (He laughs)

How do you prepare?
"Primarily, I watch and research a lot – above all in my private archive. I like to use things from my experience and have a couple of anecdotes to hand. And I need to keep on updating that. But, of course, what's happening now is also important. So I've worked through all the games this season, have lots of telephone conversations and study the preview files that I set up before a game like that."

Let's move on to Bayer 04. What springs to mind when you think of Bayer 04?
"I think about the club consistently playing in the Bundesliga since 1979 without being relegated – that's an admirable achievement and notable success. (He reflects) I think of the good, attractive football – particularly at the time under Christoph Daum and Klaus Toppmöller. Then I think of Rudi Völler who is an extraordinary personality in my opinion. I followed him from the start when he was a player at 1860 Munich – for me he's the face of the club. And I think back to 2002 to the quarter-final second leg against Liverpool in the Champions League – a massive game that I experienced first-hand as commentator in Leverkusen and I'm happy to remember that."

There we go!
"My pleasure. The first leg at Liverpool ended in a 1-0 defeat and I was surprised that Leverkusen won in the second leg, never mind that they went through. The 90 minutes was non-stop, it went to and fro, and in the end Lucio made it 4-2, which he was absolutely determined to do, and Leverkusen won with the necessary two-goal advantage. Sensational. In terms of the whole atmosphere, it was a game that Leverkusen probably never experienced before and for me, it was one of the highlights of my journalistic career. That was a great team. In my opinion, the best that Leverkusen ever fielded. It's bizarre that the season ended with second place in all competitions."

What's your assessment of Bayer 04 this season?
"Very changeable, very ambivalent. There's been good football and less good football. In my opinion, it's not a completely rounded team – just as we saw in the last second half of the season. It was fantastic to watch what happened under Peter Bosz in the second half of the season and the team were rightly celebrated. It's a very big ask to play like that again. It's not happening because, in my opinion, the balance of the team is missing: Too many players aren't on form and Julian Brandt – one of the key factors in the second half of the season – has not been replaced yet. I don't think there's been a good game over 90 minutes this season. Sometimes the defence isn't right, sometimes the midfield isn't compact enough and then the attack has a lot of chances but doesn't make the most of them – as I said, not everything is working together."

How do you explain that?
"Peter Bosz is trying to achieve a certain homogeneity and doesn't rotate much – even if there are a lot of changes of position in the team. He manages with relatively few outfield players and perhaps in the end it's a question of strength. But it's always difficult to assess something from a long way away and you have to try to put yourself in the position of the coach. For me, I'd be happy to see young lads like Diaby and Paulinho starting more often."

Do you have a favourite Bayer 04 player?
"I like the Bender twins – I know them from the time they played together at 1860. The pair of them stood out for so many years through being down-to earth and through their performances. The number of injuries that Lars and Sven have had and still keep on coming back – that's phenomenal in this age, in modern football and it’s really unusual. They are bothg big role models. Overall, I can say I just like good footballers. I'm really cheered up for example when I see a Kai Havertz, a Leon Bailey, a Karim Bellarabi or a Kevin Volland."

On Saturday it's against the record champions Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. How do you rate Bayer 04's chances?
"I recently looked at the stats: Bayer Leverkusen have only won three times in Munich – twice in the 80s and the last time was in 2012. The last six games in Munich all ended in defeat – regardless of whether the coach was Hyypiä, Schmidt or Herrlich. It's often the case that teams playing in Munich start nervously and cautiously and it will be crucial for Peter Bosz to get his team in the right frame of mind, particularly as Bayern are back on track again under Hansi Flick. It would be a surprise if Leverkusen can win against this revitalised Bayern team. I'm really looking forward to the game."

Who would you prefer to win?
"I'm too neutral a journalist to start wishing something for somebody. I hope both teams have a good game. Basically, everything points to Bayern but Leverkusen definitely have the quality to win in Munich. For that to happen, they need to have a good game and not, like many, many other clubs over recent years, just promise to put on a courageous performance. They have to do it."

Your prediction?
"I wouldn’t like to make a prediction – as I said, I hope it will be a great game. I'm an advocate for good football – and when I was working with the club radios for Gladbach and Frankfurt against Bayern, that's what happened. Moreover: Both Gladbach (3-0, ed.) and Frankfurt (5-1, ed.) won. Perhaps we can stick to that line on Saturday and perhaps I'll bring them luck as well." (He laughs) 

Interview by Jens Kopke