Interview
02.12.21
Vuskovic: "I love to celebrate a Sliding Tackle".
In an interview with HSV.de, the Croatian defender talks about his mentality on the pitch, his first months in Hamburg and his special relationship with Marko Johansson.
Screams and cheers can be heard again and again through the mixed zone in the Volksparkstadion on Wednesday afternoon. The reason: Mario Vuskovic (20) and Marko Johansson (23) are having an extensive duel on the teqball court after the training session. And anyone who watched the Swedish-Croatian duo on the pitch in the last two home games against Regensburg (4:1) and Ingolstadt (3:0) can immediately imagine that there will be a lot of emotion in this match as well. Before the duel on the curved table-tennis-like plate, HSV.de spoke with Vuskovic about his first weeks at HSV, the mentality on the pitch, Tim Walter's system, navigation problems in Hamburg and his special relationship with his teqball partner Marko Johansson.
Mario, in the last two home games against Regensburg and Ingolstadt you played 90 minutes in central defence, which resulted in two home victories. Have you really arrived at HSV now?
Vuskovic: The two games were really nice for me because we won them and only conceded one goal in two games. That gave the defence around Bascho, Marko and me a lot of confidence, especially the last game against Ingolstadt with the clean sheet was very good. Of course, it's always different when you're on the pitch yourself and can contribute for 90 minutes.
In the first few weeks there wasn't so much playing time for you. How difficult was it for you during that time?
Every player has the goal to play all the time. But when you come to a new club in a new country on the last day of the transfer period, you have to be patient and work hard every day. That's what I did. Now I'm thankful that I got the chance in the starting eleven.
Coach Tim Walter said at the beginning that you still need time to internalise all the procedures. How difficult was it to get used to HSV's new playing system?
I think I'm still getting used to it. It's really a different kind of football in parts than the one we played at Hajduk Split, for example. In the first weeks it was sometimes difficult to follow all the procedures with the ball and also with the goalkeeper, but now I feel very comfortable and confident on the pitch.
Did you sit more with the analysis team or watch videos of the games yourself during this time?
We have a lot of coaches in the coaching team. They were always showing me scenes from training or games. We really analysed all the details and looked at every little touch on the ball. That's how we all develop every day. That's very good and a very high level of professionalism.
To what extent does it help you to play alongside captain Sebastian Schonlau?
Bascho is a very experienced player who has even played in the Bundesliga. He's also known the HSV system longer than I have. I can learn from him every day and he always supports me.
What are the biggest differences at HSV and in the German 2.Bundesliga compared to Hajduk Split?
Both clubs are very big clubs in their countries. The pressure and attention at Hajduk are the same as here. In Split, every child knows the club. There it is also normal that everything depends on the result. If you lose, it's not so nice. Here it's similarly crazy.
And how is it in a sporting comparison?
In the 2. Bundesliga, the intensity is even greater compared to Croatian football. In Croatia there is a lot of emphasis on technique. Here you have to run up and down even more. Even as a defender, I have values of over eleven kilometres in a game here.
The move to a new club in a new country is not only difficult from a sporting point of view, but also off the pitch. Who helped you in the first few months?
In the first few weeks, my mother was here and supported me. Now my girlfriend has moved in with me. It's good to have someone by your side so you're not alone with all the challenges.
What was the biggest thing in Hamburg?
The city is really big. I got lost a few times, even though I have a sat nav in my car. But now I've been here for a few months and I feel really comfortable.
Most of the players in the HSV squad are relatively young. How does that contribute to team cohesion, especially for those who don't speak German yet?
We have a great spirit in the squad. That's also because many are the same age. We get along really well. That made it very easy for me to settle in.
You seem to have a particularly good relationship with Marko Johansson. What makes your connection?
Marko's parents come from Serbia and he also speaks the language. It is very similar to Croatian. That's why we can communicate very well. That also helps us on the pitch. But we understand each other not only because of the language. He also has the same mentality as me. That connects us.
Speaking of mentality. One thing that we noticed with you and Marko is that you cheer for good actions, for example, when you make a good save. Are those your goals as a defender?
As a defender you have to do everything to prevent goals. When I have a good action in the game, such as a sliding tackle, I love to celebrate it. That gives me and the whole team extra motivation and confidence on the pitch.
Is it as nice as scoring a goal for you?
I also like scoring goals (laughs). That is even more beautiful. Especially for a defender, that's another absolute plus.
At Hajduk Split you even scored free kicks.
Yes, that's true. In my last season there I was allowed to do that. But I had to wait two years for that. Sonny is a very good free-kick taker at HSV. I still have to get in line there. I hope that maybe one day he will let me shoot (laughs).
We keep our fingers crossed and thank you for the interview.