Serge Gnabry: "Leverkusen our strongest rival" | OneFootball

Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry on Bayer Leverkusen, the UEFA Champions League, fashion and more

Serge Gnabry says Bayern Munich have a score to settle after being dethroned by Bayer Leverkusen in 2023/24. bundesliga.com caught up with the Germany star ahead of a crunch week for the current Bundesliga leaders, who face Celtic in their UEFA Champions League last 16 play-off first leg before visiting defending champions Leverkusen on Bundesliga Matchday 22...

>>> Follow all the build-up to Leverkusen vs. Bayern HERE!

bundesliga.com: You’ve been an integral part of Bayern’s squad since 2018. How would you consider you have developed in this time? In what way are you a different player today than you were when you came?

Serge Gnabry: "I would just say obviously the mentality changes. I’ve always said that when you get here, you play here and get used to all the pressure, the wanting to win, having to win – whatever you want to call it – it does change you. It brings you a different mentality to get into the games. Playing-wise, pretty much the same. Maybe a little bit wiser. You start thinking about the game differently, seeing things differently. The different types of coaches look out for different things. There’s a couple of details that you see different and do different nowadays. But overall, I’m still an attacking player, still try to score goals and do good things on the pitch."

bundesliga.com: Last year was the first for you personally in Munich without being Bundesliga champion. How do you deal with that situation? To what extent is that also an incentive to put things right this year?

Gnabry: "For sure, it gives you an extra edge of motivation. I can’t deny that. I’ve also got to say it felt strange not winning something, since we got used to it so much. Which is a crazy thing to say, but that’s how it was. Of course, a lot of disappointment, but you take that little bit more of an edge for wanting to win again. Because it does feel good to win. At a club like Bayern Munich, you want to win, have to win, so that’s what we focus on."

bundesliga.com: One team that’s trying to hinder you again this year is Bayer Leverkusen, your main rivals again this year. You face each other on Matchday 22. What makes this fixture so special recently?

Gnabry: "For sure that they are a good team. Or that they have become a very good team in the last couple of years. Obviously the season that they had last year, which was very impressive. So, a lot of credit. They’ve become a strong team. It’s probably our strongest rival at the moment, and it’s going to be a decisive game that we’re going to have. And we’re looking forward to it."

Gnabry (c.) has hit it off with Bayern and Germany teammate Jamal Musiala (r.) on and off the pitch. (DFL/Getty Images/Oliver Hardt)

bundesliga.com: You haven’t beaten Leverkusen since 2022. What’s the biggest challenge playing against them? What makes them so strong and such a good team in the Bundesliga?

Gnabry: "I didn’t even know we hadn’t won against them since 2022. I think it’s a mentality thing. They’ve grown strong. Obviously they have a lot of confidence now after last season – deservedly so. Obviously also some great players. Flo Wirtz is playing unbelievable. They look like they have a strong bond in the team and they always want to win as well, which they did last season. I think it gives them a lot of confidence to grow. That’s what makes them so strong."

bundesliga.com: In general, for you personally, what makes a good rivalry in football? We obviously know about Dortmund-Bayern, but now Bayer Leverkusen is growing more there. What characterises a good rivalry? How does it apply to fixtures against Leverkusen?

Gnabry: "From my side personally, the biggest thing in a rivalry is probably the fans. Probably the clubs that are either both successful or in the same city, where it’s a game that you cannot lose, because then you will have a very bad feeling. That’s what makes a rivalry for me. Of course, on the pitch, you kind of get to know most of the players. Some we play with in the national team. For sure, you don’t want to see them the next time and for them to have the win and smile at you. So, you give everything to make sure you win this game. For sure now it’s a very decisive game, also for the outcome of the rest of the season."

bundesliga.com: Vincent [Kompany] has been here for a good six months now. How would you rate his work? And what have you personally learned under him? Talking to Dayot [Upamecano] and Phonzy [Alphonso Davies] a few weeks ago, they had the defence perspective. But you as an attacker, how is he making you guys better?

Gnabry: "I think also on the defensive side. It’s very important to him, the defensive side. So, I think also for us as strikers, having to press, trying to get the ball back as quick as possible, is a good thing. And for sure he kind of brought us very close together as a team, as a squad. I think we have a great spirit right now. And personally, he’s very good and very determined, is very keen on the basics, which I also think in the long run are always good."

Watch: The Kompany System at Bayern

Gnabry (3rd.) was part of the Bayern team that won the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League under Hansi Flick. (Pool/Getty Images)

bundesliga.com: We’ve seen when he takes Aleks [Pavlović] or Dayot out of practice, a little one-on-one. Does he do that with you guys as well?

Gnabry: "Yeah, I would say. Whenever he has something he thinks could be better or different in that way, he says it to you. He doesn’t hold back, which I think is a very good thing. To be coached very detailed as a player helps you to understand what the coach wants, what maybe you don’t see. I’m sure there’s always something you can learn from every coach."

bundesliga.com: A word on Jamal [Musiala]. We all know his development, his skills and ability on the pitch. If you look beyond this, what kind of guy is he? On social media, we’ve got to know him as a fashion, music and sports-interested guy, just like you. Can you confirm that?

Gnabry: "Definitely can confirm that. A fun guy. Likes to be in a good mood, to enjoy things, to have a little laughter. And from the other side, definitely into fashion, music, basketball. Always watches his highlights. So, I can confirm."

bundesliga.com: NBA top 10 always on in the locker room?

Gnabry: "He has it a lot. I don’t sit next to him, so I don’t always see it. But sometimes at breakfast or whatever, he’s just watching highlights and stuff."

bundesliga.com: You’re playing Celtic in the Champions League, a new opponent for you. What are you personally looking forward to the most in this match?

Gnabry: "Obviously winning. Second, the atmosphere. I never got to play there yet, so definitely looking forward to a new experience. It’s always cool when you get to play in a new stadium where you haven’t been, where you don’t know what’s coming your way. Very much looking forward to that game."

bundesliga.com: The ‘Finale dahoam’ [UEFA Champions League final in Munich] is coming up again. How important is it for you guys to make it again this year?

Gnabry: "I think it goes without saying. It’s the ultimate goal to reach that game. And in best case to win it. I think it would be special for the whole city, for the club, for Germany. It’s something that doesn’t come by often. Of course, that’s the plan and the goal."

bundesliga.com: Injuries have unfortunately been a big thing in your career. We’ve calculated that you’ve missed 171 games, almost half of the games that you’ve played in your career. Take us into your personal standpoint, your mentality. What is going through your mind when you realise it’s at least a couple of games you’re going to miss, that’s another injury? Do you immediately think about your comeback? How does time make it better to process?

Gnabry: "I immediately always hope I will come back sooner than diagnosed. And then straight away focus on doing the best rehab, doing the best work possible for that period of time to get back into shape. I think by growing older, having had a lot of injuries, I feel like I take it easier, because at the end of the day I try to do everything not to get injured, do a lot of work. So, I can’t tell myself that I missed out or did whatever. So, I take it a little bit easier. I think that also helps me on the mental side."

bundesliga.com: Is there anything in particular that helps you mentally? Are you a guy that wants to stay as close to the team as possible? Or more that you might need some time off, try and get some distance?

Gnabry: "It’s a little bit of time off. Probably good for your head, depending on how long the injury is, and what you can do and cannot do. But apart from that, I try to focus on myself, doing the best work I can do. Not just resting and letting time pass. But working on your whole body."

bundesliga.com: We know you’re a fashion guy, had a recent new collection of Bayern merch. Obviously the trend for jerseys is going more to be like a fashion piece in the last years. How do you like this development? And what is your favourite Bayern jersey?

Gnabry: "I really like… I don’t remember which season it was, but the silver-blue-red. 2000? 1999? I don’t know… And the one we played a couple of years ago with Pharrell Williams, with the blue stripes here. Again, I can’t remember which season that was. But those are my two favourite jerseys. And for sure, I like to feel good when I play, so the jersey or the whole outfit is kind of a big thing to me. I enjoy it. It’s cool seeing people wearing jerseys. Not just on the pitch but also as a fashion piece, as going out, because it’s cool."

bundesliga.com: You launched your own foundation last year, the Serge Gnabry Foundation. What was your motivation behind it? What area in particular is important for you?

Gnabry: "Motivation was just to do good. I’ve already been involved in Common Goal for a couple of years, so I just decided to my own foundation. Very important for me was the fact of healthcare, because there’s nothing like health. When you’re healthy, you’re good. Just overall in general lifestyle. I wanted to make sure to help out in hospitals or wherever help is needed in the healthcare sector."

bundesliga.com: Back in 2022, you said in GQ that you like using disposable cameras to capture beautiful moments. Is that still a thing that you’re doing? What moment of this Bundesliga season so far would you like to have captured on a disposable?

Gnabry: "So far I would like to have captured probably my goal against Kiel. I’ve been getting a lot of credit for it, so I think that could’ve been a nice moment. And yeah, I sometimes still use it. Last time was when I was at my house with my friends, took some pictures of just us and stuff. So, I still do it."

bundesliga.com: The DFL has its ‘TOGETHER’ action weeks at the moment. Three last questions with a short answer. What do you personally take away from football for your everyday social life?

Gnabry: "Discipline and teamwork.

bundesliga.com: Why is tolerance in society but also in a team important for you personally?

Gnabry: "Because we’re all individuals, at the end of the day. Obviously surrounded in a certain frame you should behave. But I wouldn’t like if every edge is taken from every individual."

bundesliga.com: What do you think we can achieve as a society with cohesion and support towards each other?

Gnabry: "I think a lot of good. Also related to football, you can’t win a match alone. You always need a team. So, together you’re always stronger and can achieve better things."

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