I was able to showcase my talents at the summer training camps in Zillertal and Grassau, even though it really wasn’t clear how the season was going to go for me. Nothing was set in stone if I’m being honest. I tried my hardest to impress, but it’s only once the preseason is over when you can really determine if you have a realistic chance of being a regular part of the squad. In that respect, thankfully things looked good. The coach said that to me himself, which gave me a boost of confidence going into my third season at the club. He showed his faith in me by giving me game time from the outset. The whole time I was thinking: If you get a chance to score here, you’ve got to take it. Scoring a goal proves to the coach that you’re able to capitalise on opportunities at the highest level.
Regardless of that I could still make an impact on the games I was substituted into, be that through a shot on goal or an assist. I could show that I was there and was taking a small step towards scoring my first Bundesliga goal and my first time being named in the starting eleven. If you were to speak with the coaches and management about it, they would probably call it “healthy progress”. Honestly that’s what I would call it too. You can’t exactly say that I started the season on fire, but you equally couldn’t say that the potential wasn’t there. This year has been on an upwards trajectory for me, a constant journey towards what I ultimately want to achieve.
I have worked extremely hard over many years to get to this point and be able to experience this. When I first broke into the first team squad, I wasn’t physically ready. I have to openly admit that. But I worked extremely hard to improve in that regard. I spent hours in the gym and a huge amount of time on the pitch with our athletic trainers. I had to do a lot to get to where I am from a physical standpoint. And now it’s all starting to pay off. I’m noticing for the first time that I am ready for this level, to play regularly in the Bundesliga.
