Two weeks ago, Niklas Moisander demanded that his team pick up points and after four consecutive defeats, since then Werder have picked up four from their last two Bundesliga matches against HSV and Ingolstadt. Moisander’s wishes were then, in part, fulfilled. In just his first season in Bremen, the Finn’s importance to this Green-White squad is growing more and more, as he brings a certain calmness to Alexander Nouri’s side.
In this chat with WERDER.DE, Niklas Moisander speaks about his relationship with the other Werder defenders on the pitch, his twin brother’s visit to Bremen and looks ahead to the coming challenges in the Bundesliga.
WERDER.DE: After the defeat to Frankfurt, you said the team had no other alternatives than to get two wins from the games against Hamburg and Ingolstadt. In retrospect, what are your thoughts on managing to score “just” four points?
Niklas Moisander: “These four points were the absolute minimum that we had to earn. Of course we would have like to have gotten all six, but it’s even more important that we didn’t lose any of these games. Therefore, we’re still quite satisfied with the four points, above all the win in the last game was very, very important.”
WERDER.DE: With your consistent performances, you contributed a lot to these four points, however, the public seem to only be heaping praise on your teammates like Sané, Veljkovic and Bauer. Does that annoy you?
Niklas Moisander: “No, I’m fine with that. I don’t really like to be in the centre of attention in the media. It definitely doesn’t annoy me, the other lads can continue taking the limelight, I’m happy to not be in the spotlight so often.”
WERDER.DE: Your experience was a reason you were brought to Werder, what does the coach expect from you on the pitch?
Niklas Moisander: “It’s important for me to talk a lot in the game, give a lot of instructions. My task is to help the defence organise itself, I speak a lot to my teammates. Lamine is similarly as experienced, we both know what defending is about, speaking a lot particularly helps the young players.”
WERDER.DE: In a back-four where the players all come from different countries, is the language barrier a problem?
Niklas Moisander: “Of course it’s a bit more challenging, it was particularly at the start. However, we all know German football terms and Lamine also speaks English very well. I sometime speak Italian with Santi - whatever works.”
WERDER.DE: A mix then...
Niklas Moisander: “Yes, it is really a varied mix, but we’ve slowly found our own way of communicating, even if we use words from three words from different languages in the same sentence. It works quite well.”
WERDER.DE: How important is a well-gelled team?
Niklas Moisander: “It’s incredibly important for the defence. You have to play a few games with the same players , then you really learn how your teammates react in certain situations.”
WERDER.DE: One of your teammates, Lamine Sané, has had to be subbed off with injuries a few times this season.
Niklas Moisander: “That’s football – there are always suspensions and injuries, it’s part of it. Of course, I would prefer to play more often with the same guy next to me, whether that’s with Milos, Lamine or whoever else, but that’s not down to me.”
WERDER.DE: A good defensive performance is also needed on Saturday against Hertha BSC, what do you already know about them?
Niklas Moisander: “They have started fantastically, similar to Frankfurt in that regard. Hertha have a very strong team, I haven’t seen them play often and don’t know their style of play yet – that comes in the week as we analyse them. However, their results are very impressive, especially at home.”
WERDER.DE: After the away game in the capital, you face two other surprise packages in the form of Köln and Hoffenheim. What are your thoughts on these matches?
Niklas Moisander: “Those games will be just as tough as the one in Berlin. Hoffenheim’s run is impressive and Köln are progressing strongly. Nevertheless, they are two games in which victories are possible with good performances. We really should get a few more points before the winter break, particularly when you consider who we face in the first games after the winter break...”
WERDER.DE: ...then two heavyweights visit the Weser-Stadion.
Niklas Moisander: “Exactly, it’s a super tough start to the New Year, therefore it’s even more important that we pick up points now. If I’ve learnt one thing from the Bundesliga, it’s that every game is really tough, but any team can beat any other.”
WERDER.DE: A little change of subject – Your twin brother visited you from Finnland to watch the game against Eintracht Frankfurt. Do things like that spur you on?
Niklas Moisander: “Definitely, it’s not often that someone from my family comes to one of my games. My girlfriend and daughter try to come as often as possible, and when my brother or parents come over from Finnland, it’s special. Henrik’s support means a lot, as I played together with him for a long time – it really gives me a boost.”
WERDER.DE: What did you visit with him in Bremen?
Niklas Moisander: “I went into town with him, the Christmas markets have just started so I took him round a bit. It was his first time in Bremen and I had the impression that he really liked it. I also really enjoyed spending time with him – it was very important for me.”
WERDER.DE: You’ve already visited the German Christmas markets, how are your finding learning the language?
Niklas Moisander: “I already had some German lessons at school, I understand almost everything that the coach or my teammates say to me. I also have a language course once a week. I’ll work hard on it and I hope to be able to do the next interview in German.”
