In the summer of 2019, the then Werder manager Florian Kohfeldt called Christian Groß up to the Zillertal training camp as a late replacement. Even at that time, the veteran said that “everything that happens in his career now is a bonus.” Groß went on to become a regular in Werder’s defence and he has been on the club’s journey from the 2. Bundesliga back to the top flight. Groß spoke to the media in Zillertal on Thursday about the training camp, the competition for places and the Bundesliga.
“It’s actually crazy how things have worked out,” Christian Groß told journalists in Zillertal on Thursday afternoon. “I was brought in under Florian Kohfeldt and I just took everything in and absorbed as much as I could. The fact that I am now back with a promotion behind me is a great feeling.”
The intensity in Zillertal is high as the players are preparing for their top flight return, and “Grosso” is happy with how the camp has gone so far. “I have got a good impression of the training camp so far. It has been an intense few days, the last couple have been especially hard. We have used our time well and we want to implement what we have worked on in the friendly against Besiktas.”
At the age of 33, Groß is one of the more experienced members of the team and everything is even more of a bonus now, than it was three years ago. “I enjoy everything I do. I am 33 so I won’t be involved in too many more pre-seasons. I will take in everything else that comes my way. I’m in great shape, I feel good and I am putting in the work. I want to take the momentum from our promotion campaign into the Bundesliga and give it everything. I always give my best on the pitch, lead the way in training and try to push the other players. Above all, I am trying to have dialogue with the younger players and help them through this training camp.”
Competition for places has been a common theme in the Mixed Zone recently. The competition for the number six role, however, is something that Groß is relaxed about. “Competition is good. It is the only way you can be successful. And that also applies to the number six role. I think I have played well in the last year and I don’t need to hide anywhere. It doesn’t work without competition. We have lots of quality throughout the team and that is a good thing.”
According to Groß, this quality will be crucial for Werder in the Bundesliga next season. He also believes that a different kind of challenge awaits his side. “We are all aware that it will be different from the second division. We will probably have less of the ball, for example. But we still need to be brave. We are looking forward to it.”
