Interview with Karl-Heinz Riedle and Everton

As regular blog journalists, it’s not often that my colleagues and I get to interact with the team we love so much that we blog about it. However, every now and then a great opportunity comes along that gives us some face-to-face interaction with BVB. In this second installment of exciting interviews, I will recount an hour spent with some BVB legends.

Fear the Wall had the privilege of joining a team of other journalists on Zoom to talk to former BVB Karl-Heinz Riedle and Everton stars. The interview was organized by the Bundesliga media team and gave journalists both at BVB’s training ground and online the opportunity to ask the players about their club careers, their best international memories and some of their thoughts on the current state and form of the team . .

The questions and answers are paraphrased for fluency and understanding.

A question: What are your thoughts on the current #9 production in Germany? Are there any players who would be your modern day equivalent, and where do you see the next German #9 coming from?

Karl-Heinz Riedle: In my time we had players like Rudy Föhler and Miroslav Klose, so it’s hard to say. These days maybe the game has changed a bit, at the moment I really don’t see a proper number 9 turning up in the academies or even in the Bundesliga. So it may be a long time before we see a true German #9 again.

A question: At Bayern Munich, Jamal Musiala is one of the best talents Germany is developing. What is your opinion about it? Is he ready to be a focal point for the German national team?

Karl-Heinz Riedle: Too bad he doesn’t play for Borussia Dortmund! He is a fantastic player and has had an incredible start to the season. Germany can be proud to have a talent like him. His skills are incredible even on the big stage and I expect him to play a big role in the upcoming World Cup. He made an incredible impact with Bayern Munich.

A question: Why aren’t there more Brazilian players in the Bundesliga? What are the obstacles to Brazilians playing in Germany?

Ewerthon: Well, German football is changing a lot. Oftentimes, Brazilian players don’t fit well into the systems that Bundesliga teams use. It is also a challenge to work with translators, understand your teammates and adapt to the very different life in Germany.

A question: Ewerthon discussed the challenges facing Brazilian players in the Bundesliga. As a forward, what do you think went wrong with Rainier?

Karl-Heinz Riedle: He was definitely talented. It was difficult for him to get into the team there because we had a really fantastic set-up. The other guys at the time, like Erling Haaland, were really ok so it wasn’t easy for him. But you see he’s talented and I think he’ll find his way with another team.

Photo by Neal Simpson/EMPICS via Getty Images

A question: Besides being BVB legends, you have both represented historic footballing nations in Germany and Brazil. How do you rate your nations chances at the upcoming World Cup?

Karl-Heinz Riedle: You never know what you’re going to get with Germany. The team has a very good mix of young and experienced players. We can make it to the final or go out early, it’s hard to say. I think that with such a combination of talented players, Germany will do very well. For Ewerthon Brazil I hope to see you very soon as they are two great teams.

Ewerthon: Brazil’s national team is really skilled, the squad certainly does not depend only on Neymar or any player, it is a very well-rounded team. Of course, Brazil, France and Argentina have to be favourites, but Germany is also a great country. In Qatar, the games will be a little different, especially with the temperature, but Brazil should certainly be considered the favourites.

A question: Which Borussia Dortmund players do you see making waves at the World Cup?

Ewerthon: It’s hard to talk about success at the World Cup, but I hope Marco Reus shows his talent in the competition and stays injury-free.

Karl-Heinz Riedle: Marco is definitely desperate to make it to the World Cup. He was unlucky at the Euros and World Cups so hopefully the right time will come for him as he won’t have many chances left. I hope for him that it will be his World Cup.

Question (from me!): Karl-Heinz, you and Stephane Chaupissat created a great strike partnership at BVB; who in your career was your favorite striker partner and who from today’s match would you like to play with?

Karl-Heinz Riedle: Stephane Chaupissat just works really well with my style of play, but I was very lucky to play in forward positions in the national team with Rudi Voller and Jurgi Klinsmann. At Lazio with Ruben Sosa and Beppi Signori, two amazing left feet. Then in Liverpool with Robbie Fowler and Mike Lowe. I had amazing partners there and I’m really happy that I did. It would be a pleasure to play alongside Haaland in today’s match. He is such an amazing player, unfortunately he left us and you could see against Manchester City how much it hurt us that he left our club, but to play alongside him would be an amazing feeling.

A question: Why are Dortmund’s values ​​as a club so important? How did that affect the player you were and the person you are now?

Karl-Heinz: If you have spent even one day at the stadium, you can see the passion and intensity of this club. there is such an amazing connection between the players and the fans and you don’t see that anywhere. I played in some top teams, even Liverpool, but nothing compares to the energy at Borussia Dortmund.

Ewerthon: Playing for Dortmund helped me in my personal life to always appreciate the special moments, to appreciate what I have, and the values ​​of the German people are something I brought with me to Brazil.

Photo by Mark Sandten/Bongarts/Getty Images

A question: Karl-Heinz, how was life at Dortmund after scoring the goals to win the Champions League?

Karl-Heinz Riedle: Of course, it was an amazing feeling for the whole team and for the history of the club, but it didn’t change much in my personal life. We had won the World Cup with Germany and several titles with Borussia Dortmund in the years before, but this was a very special title for Borussia Dortmund and it still means a lot to the club’s legacy.

A question: Ewethon, you played in Qatar. What is your memory of football in the country and what do you expect for the World Cup?

Ewerthon: Qatar is complex with language, climate and religion. The culture is very closed. I wasn’t able to maintain a social life there like I had in Brazil. This World Cup is a mystery. With life there, it’s hard to say what the World Cup experience will be like.

Question (from me): For both players, as you both know, life doesn’t end with your football career. What are your proudest achievements since you retired from the sport?

Ewerthon: Just relaxing! It takes a lot of time and energy to be a footballer and there is always a lot of pressure from the crowd. Now I spend more time with his family and with my 10-year-old son.

Karl-Heinz Riedle: Definitely the same from me. Football is a great thing, but the greatest achievement after football is raising a family. I now have two grandchildren and this is a part of my life after football that makes me very proud.

Having the chance to listen to these two BVB legends talk about their time as footballers was a truly amazing experience. Both Ewerthon and Karl-Heinz embody BVB’s core values ​​and their connection to the club remains strong even after their playing careers have ended. Both players remain devoted fans as well as up-to-date on the team and its fixtures and form. It is so exciting to see this True love stays with our BVB veterans even after their time in the spotlight is over.

Thanks to the folks at SB Nation and APCO Worldwide for this great opportunity!

Leave your thoughts below for the following!

• Should Dortmund look back at the Brazilian market after a long spell without a Brazilian star?
• What are your expectations for Germany and its players at the World Cup in Qatar?
• Which other BVB legends would you like to hear? (Not that we have any opinion, but let us know!)