Sports Illustrated: Are there moments when football is art?
Anton Stach: In any case. Whether it’s a spectacular combination of passes or a great goal: I would describe many moments as art.
Sports Illustrated: Your mother is an artist, are you talented in that field too?
Stach: At school I was rather untalented in art. I wasn’t very good at painting, maybe drawing a little. My mother is definitely in a much better position than I am.
Sports Illustrated: But you have other, sporting talents – and you are not the only one in your family: Your father Matthias was a good tennis player and is the most prominent tennis commentator in Germany, your two sisters play professional basketball.
Stach: Sport has always played a very important role in our home. In the beginning, my parents just wanted us children to exercise, to enjoy it, to socialize. They drove us everywhere, supported us at tournaments and were just happy when we had fun.
Sports Illustrated: Do you have an explanation for the fact that you and your sisters are all successful in sports at such a high level?
Stach: One advantage was that my father came from the industry, was a good athlete himself and was very knowledgeable. For example, he showed me very early on how to deal with criticism. That still helps me to this day. Even during the summer break, he always worked with us and made us fit. He has this know-how: how to train, how to get better.
Sports Illustrated: Is he still supporting you?
Stach: Yes, nothing has changed there: I talk to my father after every game and he tells me directly if I wasn’t so good, what I can improve. Even if I played well, he picks out a few scenes where I could have done something better. That means a lot to me.
Sports Illustrated: You are 24, FSV Mainz 05 is your eighth stop in football, before that you were in Fürth, Wolfsburg or Bremen, among other places. Why did you change clubs so often?
Stach: I’m definitely a moving professional now, it’s quick for me. But I thought about every change carefully. In hindsight, every step was the right one, so I don’t have any regrets. Of course it’s not nice if you keep moving, meet great people and eventually move on again. But that’s part of it.
Sports Illustrated: Are you someone who is always excited by new things? Or would you like more continuity?
Stach: I’ve never asked myself that question because I’ve always been happy with my situation. I like getting to know new people, I’m an open person, I like new impulses. So far, every time in every city has had almost nothing but positives. On the other hand, I would like to stay longer in one place someday.
Sports Illustrated: You were in your Bundesliga debut for Mainz 22 – are you a late starter?
Stach: Absolutely. Sometimes you just have to go one way or the other. I’ve always told myself to give myself until the age of 21, 22 to try and attack at the top. If it hadn’t worked out then, for example, college sports in the USA would have been an option for me.
Sports Illustrated: What is the conclusion of your last, second season in Mainz?
Stach: It was a roller coaster ride. My first season in Mainz was easy in comparison, my rhythm was consistent and I was always fit. Now the exact opposite was the case. I had two long term injuries and it was hard to keep coming back. But I also know that I can play much better. What I learned last season: to listen to my body even better.
Sports Illustrated: Mainz ended up in ninth place, so it wasn’t enough for the international places. Her contract has one year left. Recently you said quite clearly that you would like to play internationally next season.
Stach: Nothing has changed in this goal for the future – it remains to be seen how short-term this will work. But I would like to play internationally as soon as possible. It doesn’t necessarily have to be next season, but if I ever get the chance, I’d like to take it.
Sports Illustrated: Are you attracted to foreign countries?
Stach: Yes, but I don’t have a specific time for that. I find the Premier League very attractive, I enjoy watching it.
Sports Illustrated: You played two games for the senior national team in 2022. Is the home EM in the back of your mind next year?
Stach: The European Championship is my goal, even if I wasn’t nominated for the national team recently – and rightly so, because I just didn’t deliver the performances and was injured for a long time. I want to prepare well now and then attack fully again.
Sports Illustrated: Are you still in contact with national coach Hansi Flick and the DFB?
Stach: Yes, although not as regularly. When I wasn’t nominated for the last course, he contacted me and said that they hadn’t forgotten me and were still watching me.
Sports Illustrated: You’d probably have it easier as a center forward or full-back than in your central midfield position.
Stach: There is almost no position in the national team that is as well filled as the centre. That’s why it made me proud that I was taken along. I want to keep attacking, a bit from behind. And then it will become clear whether Hansi Flick wants me there for the European Championships – or not.
More sports news:
After his serious injury, Alexander Zverev is back on the international stage. At Sports Illustrated he talks about his time of suffering, longings, the tennis business – and the question of what drives Germany’s tennis star.
Oliver Kahn polarized both on the field with incredible saves and freaks, as well as off the field in interviews, with his sayings and his love life. Here you can find out everything about Kahn’s career, fortune, family and successes.
Mark Mateschitz is the son of Dietrich Mateschitz and follows in the footsteps of the late Red Bull founder. This is how the 30-year-old Austrian ticks, who is with Victoria Swarovski and how big is his billion-dollar fortune in the Red Bull empire.
2023-07-07 12:16:33
#Anton #Stach #find #Premier #League #attractive
