"Want to thank them for their support"

Both Mio Backhaus and Karim Coulibaly had the chance to make an impact for SV Werder this season, featuring in 31 and 26 games respectively. In an interview with WERDER.DE, the two youngsters look back on their maiden Bundesliga campaign and touch on the highs and lows, as well as the support they both received from the team.

WERDER.DE: Moin Mio, Moin Karim! Let's start with an easy one: how would you both describe your first season in the Bundesliga?

Mio Backhaus: It was a pretty tough season, to be honest. We had pictured it going differently, both in terms of the number of points and our position in the table. On a personal level, it's still been a successful season for me as I achieved my personal goal. I wanted to play as often as possible, which I managed to do. I also feel as though I've been able to help the team with my performances, which I'm very happy about. Based on that, I can give this season a thumbs-up.

Karim Coulibaly: I didn't expect to get to play this much at the start of the season. My goal was to give it my best shot and show in training that I was ready to play, in order to earn a spot in the squad. I also expected to be playing mostly with the U23s. After being given a chance to play by Horst Steffen and Raphael Duarte, I just tried to make the most of that opportunity. That's why I'm pleased with how the season has gone and that I've been able to learn a lot this year.

WERDER.DE: Is there any match from this season that's stuck with you in particular? Karim, I see you're already smiling.

Karim Coulibaly: For me, there's only one obvious answer: my first start against Leverkusen, which we managed to draw 3-3. I will never forget that. Also, the win in the Nordderby.

Mio Backhaus: It's similar for me – my first thought was of the Nordderby. The stadium, the atmosphere, the support from the fans – that was truly something special. As a team, we knew that there was a lot at stake. To get a win like that was definitely a fantastic experience. And also, the game against Leverkusen in which Karim made his debut. The way the fans supported us that day was just amazing, you don't see that often. The fact that we were able to fight our way back like that, and for Karim to also score on what was our first Bundesliga game at the Weserstadion – it was a really emotional moment.

WERDER.DE: You've both touched on the fact that it's been a tough season. We just discussed some of the highlights, but what were the most difficult moments for you both?

Mio Backhaus: I'd say that for me it has to be the game at St. Pauli. That was the first time I'd committed a serious error and for it to be in such an important game was really tough. However, I have to say that the way that the team and the coaches treated me afterwards and the way that we moved past it together was really great. I could sense just how many people had my back, even when things aren't going well. I checked my phone afterwards and saw I'd received messages from several former teammates, such as Zetti (ed.: Michael Zetterer), saying "Keep your head up and keep going." That mistake will always stay in my head as a negative moment, but it was a good feeling to realise that people are there for me.

WERDER.DE: The next home game then saw the fans get behind you as well, as they chanted your name.

Mio Backhaus: That really helped me as well. At that moment, we had only picked up 19 points, and so it wasn't to be expected for them to support me like that. It really created a positive energy.

The best learning experience was the mistakes that I made. I was able to learn the most from those situations.

Karim Coulibaly

WERDER.DE: Karim, how about you? How did you deal with mistakes?

Karim Coulibaly: My first minutes in the Bundesliga saw me misplay more passes and make worse decisions than I ever have before. As a young player, that's something that can happen. My teammates and coaches always kept supporting me. Like Mio said, we always had their support behind us.

WERDER.DE: What has been the most important learning experience you had after making the move from the U19s to the Bundesliga?

Karim Coulibaly: The best learning experience was the mistakes that I made. I was able to learn the most from those situations. The more games I played, the more confident I became. Additionally, I was also able to learn a lot from my more experienced teammates.

WERDER.DE: Mio, it's slightly more difficult to get regular match practice as a goalkeeper. You spent last year on loan at FC Volendam. How important was that experience for you?

Mio Backhaus: I could have said just how important this loan spell was for me before this season started. I learned a lot that year. I was able to prove myself at the top level in the Netherlands, week in and out. I was also lucky to have had the support of the coaching staff there as well and that I was able to play every game while I was there. As a result, I can only recommend that every young player ensures that they have a chance to gain match practice at the highest level.

WERDER.DE: How important is the team when it comes to the development of young players?

Karim Coulibaly: It's extremely important. Family and friends will always have your back, but when you also feel the support from the team, especially the veteran players, then that really helps as well.  

Mio Backhaus: We received a lot of support this season. For me, I had a lot of support from Markus Kolke, Leo Bittencourt und Yukinari Sugawara in particular. They always gave me honest feedback. Additionally, we also had several players in the team that were around the same age. Whenever we were all together as a group, it was like a safe space for us. That also really helped me, as well as Karim and the others.

WERDER.DE: So you also hung out as a group off the pitch as well?

Mio Backhaus: Yes, defintiely. Whenever anyone from that group accomplished something, they'd invite people out. Some people did it in a bigger group, others a little smaller.

WERDER.DE: You two are role models for those players currently in the Werder academy. What does that mean to you?

Mio Backhaus: It's a role that you have to grow into. You don't really realise it at the start, as you're just focused on yourself. But when you then go in to town and start seeing young boys with the same haircut as you, then that’s when you need to be ready to take up that role. I hope that we're able to be a source of motivation for the academy players, the way that Pavlas (Ed.: Jiri Pavlenka) and Zetti once were for me. I think we definitely still have a ways to go before we're fully there, but it's nice to already be seen in that way.

Karim Coulibaly: I also spent two years in the boarding school, which is why I'm happy if I'm able to now help them out in this way. When I played my first game, as well as over the course of the season, some of the lads came to me and asked me questions. I enjoy taking the time to talk with them.

WERDER.DE: You two didn't just play together for Werder this season. You also both featured for the Germany U21s in March. What was that game like for you?  

Karim Coulibaly: I made my debut against Northern Ireland and it was definitely a cool experience to get to share the pitch with Mio. I really enjoyed it and I hope that I'll be able to play many more games for Germany together with him.

Mio Backhaus: I was also really happy to see him standing on the touchline waiting to come on. He fully deserved it and I hope that he'll get many more games for Germany.

WERDER.DE: Thank you both for taking the time!