‘We want this title in Leverkusen – definitely'

Simon, Bayer 04 are in a DFB Cup final for the first time in eleven years. The unbridled joy amongst the players and management immediately after the semi-final victory at Saarbrücken shows how much the club is excited at the prospect of a fourth final in this competition. What importance do you attach to reaching the final?
I really, really value getting to the final this time. It’s hugely significant for us. The cup final is a fantastic event where we have the chance to play for a title again after eleven years. It's extremely important for me and for the whole club. It was our major target. Before the season, we clearly stated we wanted to play to win titles. And that's what we're doing now. We're in the final!

The route to Berlin started for you in Aachen with a covincing 4-1 win. The games after that at home against Paderborn (1-0), Stuttgart (2-1) and Union Berlin (3-1) were much tighter. Typical cup ties where only the result counts in the end?
The cup's always like that. In knockout games, nobody is interested in the way the games are played at the end of the day. It's only about going through. In World Cup finals, the World Cup winners never just walk through the competition and dominate every game. There are always matches that are tough and really tricky. Where a team doesn't have its best day. And nevertheless you have to win the game. That's the only thing that counts. Winning! How you win is then decided by your form on the day. The opponent. The circumstances. That's the special attraction of the cup.

Did you get nervous in the game against Union when the Berliners were leading 1-0 up to the 72nd minute?
Nervous? Yes, to be honest, I have to admit that. That was exactly that sort of tough game as I've just described. Union played really well and they were well prepared for us relatively shortly after a Bundesliga clash at the Alte Försterei. If you're losing at home after 70 minutes in a cup game in a really tight match then the biggest worry is that you run out of time. But, at that point, we noticed our pressure was building minute by minute. Then there was the sending off for Union immediately after Karim Bellarabi had levelled at 1-1 – then it was clear to me we'd end up winning the game. In such situations, it's important to break down the barrier of resistance. We did that with the equaliser. After that we couldn't be stopped.

Peter Bosz’ team then did a brilliant job at Saarbrücken…
Yes. We never had any second thoughts. The game was over after the two early goals. Saarbrücken didn't stand a chance.

Now you're up against the record cup winners at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on 4 July. How do you rate your chances against Bayern?
Bayern have got a great team and deserve to be champions of Germany. Nevertheless: There's only one game to decide the title and we're going to Berlin to win that game. We want to win the cup. There's always a lot of possibilities in one game. We've already beaten Bayern in the league this season. They are a good, very good team. But we are too.

This season in the Bundesliga there was a 2-1 win in Munich and a 4-2 defeat at home against Bayern. What conclusions can you draw from that for the final and what will it most depend on?
You can always draw conclusions of a tactical nature. The coaches analyse in detail what was positive and what was negative. Also where the weak points of the opponents could be. That's the normal analysis we always do. Of course, also after the games against Bayern Munich. But the fundamental point is: There are two top teams facing each other in the cup final. And it comes down to who is in great shape on the day.

It is now 27 years since Bayer 04 last won a title. It's safe to say you can talk about the club being presented with an historic opportunity.
Of course, the cup final is something very special. As a club, you never know – perhaps with the exception of Bayern – whether or not you will soon be back there. It's eleven years for Bayer 04 now. Nevertheless, it should be our target to do it more often. So I see it less as an historic opportunity as that could mean it’s something unique. I'd much prefer us to be able to create this chance again more often in the future.

This 77th DFB Cup final is obviously taking place under very special circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic. How much will that diminish the sense of anticipation for you all?
Of course, it's a great great pity the final has be played behind closed doors this year. Our fans, in particular, would more than deserve the experience of a 'Final in Berlin'. But the sporting value remains massive.

You were able to experience the atmosphere in Berlin twice as a player. You won the cup with Werder Bremen in 2004 without playing. What are your memories of that 3-2 cup win against Alemannia Aachen?
Very good memories. Bremen have always had a big cup tradition and were often in the final. As a player, you quickly got to know that this competition is something very special for the club. We went to Berlin back then as champions of Germany and played against the second division team – my new club Alemannia Aachen. Even though I didn't play, it was simply brilliant to be able to lift the cup in that magical atmosphere in Berlin. A fantastic experience! By the way: It was the first time my future wife and I were in the same place (he laughs). Although we didn't know that as we only met later on – but she was there as a spectator in the stadium…

You knew she was there five years later. You played for Bayer 04 in the final against your former club Werder. Unfortunately, the game ended in a 1-0 defeat.
It's a bit bizarre having played the first final against my new club and the second against my former one. But, of course, 2009 was completely different from my point of view. Five years before, even though I was a player, I was only a observer of the whole thing. It was a completely different story in 2009. I was able to lead my team onto the pitch as captain. Fantastic, I'll say it again: The cup final is simply the best game there is in Germany. This atmosphere – brilliant. And they were two very, very good teams, that had been disappointing in the league finishing somewhere in mid-table, but both were full of top players. It was a bitter blow that we lost the game. On that day, it was simply the case that whoever scored the first goal would win the game. I'm still convinced of that today. If we'd have done it… There was a massive chance at the start for Patrick Helmes. He normally always put away chances like that. But then it was Özil for Bremen with a deflection and that was really unlucky for us. That hurt.

The match was ill-fated for you due to an interview by the former coach Bruno Labbadia. How did you see the situation?
The first questions came after the official press conference on Friday with the sporting director, the coach and me as captain. A few quotes were suddenly doing the rounds as advance copy. On the day before the match, we were confronted with negative statements by the coach without actually knowing exactly what it was about. It was obviously crystal-clear that something big would happen the next day. All the newspapers were full of it on Saturday morning and it was all about this interview. A lot of teammates came to me and asked: "Hey, what's going on, what's happening now?" It was absurd: You're in the cup final ahead of the biggest game in the country and it should all really be about the sporting aspect – and then the main issue of the day is an interview with the head coach. That was a bizarre and really difficult situation for us.

But the 2009 final also marked the start of 'Finally Red'. The fans looked impressive in the Olympic Stadium dressed all in red. How did you feel about this fantastic atmosphere?
It was fantastic. I find this campaign by our fans totally cool anyway. It gives me goose bumps every time, it's incredibly thrilling – every time on the last home matchday of the season. But when I think back to Berlin in 2009 when Finally Red was launched then it still sends an ice cold shiver down my back. The way we came out of the marathon gate and looked at the full, red stand of Bayer 04 fans – unforgettable. Every player had an allocation of tickets and I'd invited a couple of people along. They were friends and acquaintances of mine who weren't actually committed football fans. But everybody who was there said to me afterwards: "Wow. This atmosphere, this aura in Berlin – simply fantastic!" That's the exceptional thing about this game. It not only attracts die-hard football fans. Everybody really feels that special thing about this setting.

There will be none of that on 4 July: No full stands and no fan parties on Breitscheidplatz – the whole thrilling atmosphere of a cup final won't happen. How are you all dealing with this situation?
It's really strange somehow. Where there is normally emotion and passion, as a player, you have to be even more focused on that one target in such a clinical atmosphere. On winning the cup. Nevertheless, it's huge motivation to win it when you see the trophy.

Do you think you go into a final like that even more focused? Can you block out the missing atmosphere because you've now experienced that in the Bundesliga and the last cup game at Saarbrücken? Or is the absence of support from the stands mean you can't give your absolute all?
Of course, a different type of mental strength will be required. You have to push yourself to your limit without having the atmosphere and the backing from the fans. But it's a big match and you can win a title. Even though the conditions are completely atypical for a final that would otherwise drive you as a player. Where incidents in a match also happen due to the atmosphere. You haven't got that so you have to be totally focused on the sporting target. You have to give 100 per cent yourself.

A lot of fans feel at odds with themselves: On the one hand, huge joy at the fourth final and the chance of a third club title and, on the other hand, the massive disappointment at not being able to be there. An infuriating situation…
For the fans and for us too. There are a lot of fans who have sent in emails telling us about how they were there in 2009 as a young child. They are absolute passionate fans of Bayer 04 and this year's game, including the trip to Berlin, should have been a highlight of their being a fan. They are fascinated and electrified by this cup final as an institution. It's very emotional and obviously a shame it won't be played in the same form this season and the heartfelt wishes of so many of our fans will not be fulfilled. I would say: There's no other alternative other than coming back again. As soon as possible. With the fans!

How can a bond be established between the team and the supporters at home? What can the fans do to give the group that feeling: We are behind you, we’re here even if you can't see us?
It's crucial for players to feel special support ahead of a really special game. Every one of the lads is missing the fans. But if they feel the whole of Leverkusen is behind them, that everybody is up for it, everybody is crossing their fingers even though they can't be there – that motivates a player. He's got that in his head and takes it onto the pitch as support. I'd be incredibly happy if that happened. If the whole of football in Germany feels before the big final: Blimey, they want this title in Leverkusen. Definitely!

This interview is part of the special edition of the Werkself Magazin for the DFB Cup final against Bayern Munich that has been sent to Bayer 04 Club members over the past few days. The ePaper will be available on bayer04.de from Saturday, 4 July.