Team
05.10.16
Douglas Santos: "... it is very motivating!"
Brazilian left back Douglas Santos kindly agreed to an Interview with HSV.de on Wednesday (05.10.16). During our chat he spoke his first month at HSV, the difference in playing styles between Brazil and Germany and what motivates him most.
Douglas Santos has had a turbulent first month at HSV, after joining the Rothosen from Brazilian top flight club Atletico Mineiro at the end of August. It was his second try at European football. A new country, language, culture and new impressions have been raining down on the 22 year defender since his arrival. That said, Santos seems to have adapted well to the Bundesliga. He began his side’s last four games and played the full 90 minutes in each of them. He spoke to us about his first month at HSV, the difference in playing styles between Brazil and Germany and what motivates him most.
HSV.de: Douglas, you arrived in Hamburg some five weeks ago. Have you managed to settle in at all?
Douglas Santos: Yes, I was warmly welcomed and I feel good here, which is of course the most important thing when a player joins a new club. My wife Cristiane has now joined me here and we are currently searching for suitable accommodation to put a welcome end to our current hotel life.
It looked like you needed little time to adapt from Brazilian to European football, or do I have the wrong impression?
Santos: It really is a big difference because the game is played much faster here and you have little time to catch your breath. I adapted quickly and I am sure that it was an advantage that I had previously played in Italy. I was a little shy at first in training, but I had to get to know my team mates. I think that’s normal when you hold back a bit at first.
"We can do this answer in German. When he says ´links (left), rechts (right), pressen (press), warten (wait)´, I know what I have to do."
How do you assess your own performance in the previous four games?
Santos: I was happy with my performance but the success of the team is most important, otherwise you cannot enjoy it.” We have played well at times but just can’t hit the back of the net. We just need a little luck, because when the moment comes where the ball does cross that line, things will become much easier.
You play down the left with Filip Kostic – another foreign player. How do you communicate?
Santos: In German (grins). When he says ´links (left), rechts (right), pressen (press), warten (wait)´, I know what I have to do.
Apart from the playing style and a foreign language, what else has impressed you since you arrived?
Santos: I have to say that the fans and stadia are amazing. In Brazil stadiums are only sold out at big games. Here it is normal that the grounds are also full at “average” Bundesliga matches. Playing in front of 57,000 in Hamburg is very motivating!