Sommer: 'We need our first win.'
August 26, 2015
Three competitive games into the season and last year's second best Bundesliga defence has yet to pick up a clean sheet. The Dortmund drubbing and Mainz miracle leave the Foals bottom of the Bundesliga. Yann Sommer wants more than just a win over second division St. Pauli in the German Cup - and soon.
“Our first objective is to win our first game – just three points,” Sommer told DW.com. “We haven't made any objectives or goals for the season because we have had a bad start. We want to win our first game. That's all.”
After a fantastic season in which Gladbach finished third in the Bundesliga, there are high expectations of Lucien Favre's team. Gladbach is preparing to embark on its first Champions League campaign in eight years. For many at the club, it will be a debut venture into the Europe's most elite competition, but for Sommer, nothing has changed as he looks ahead to the European adventure.
“For me it's not a big difference between the Champions League and a normal league game, I see it as just a game,” Sommer explained. “My preparation is the same, always. I don't change what I do before the game, whether it's Champions League or anything else.”
Sommer admires Neuer
Last season wasn't just an historical achievement for Gladbach, but Sommer, too. His 20 Bundesliga clean sheets are a team record since the teams first Bundesliga season in 1965. The Swiss international has been touted as the Bundesliga's second best goalkeeper behind Manuel Neuer.
“I can't say that,” explained the 26-year old. Comparisons have been made between Sommer and his Bayern counterpart. His broad stature, strong shot-stopping and strength in the air resemble Neuer in many ways. However, Gladbach's number one hasn't been drawn into the discussion.
“He's still the goalkeeper of Bayern Munich, one of the best teams in the world, he's the national keeper of Germany – a World Champion and that's one or two steps higher than me,” Sommer explained.
“I don't compare myself with other goalkeepers. I know he's a really good goalkeeper, but for me, I want to do the best for my team and see that they have success.”
You can see the full interview with Yann Sommer on DW's Bundesliga Kick Off! program, broadcast on Monday and Tuesday at the following times.