After a difficult season with Hamburger SV, Julian Green returned to FC Bayern this past summer. Since then, the 20-year-old has been playing with the team's reserves in the regional league. There he has developed into an integral part of the team and played in 14 of the 15 games this season.
On the last matchday, Green scored an impressive hattrick in the important 4-1 away win against regional rivals FC Augsburg II. In our interview, Green speaks about what that victory meant, his role in the team and the future of his development as a player.
Interview with Julian Green
FCB: Hello Julian, this past Friday the team finally got the three points again after four games without a win. How important was that for the team's confidence?
Green: "Of course, the win was extremely important. We played especially well in the first half and won deservedly in the end. We can definitely build on that. Our performances in the last couple of games weren't bad either but we couldn't get the results. We believe in ourselves and maybe sometimes we were just missing that piece of good fortune."
FCB: With three goals, you played a significant part in the 4-1 win in Augsburg. Was this also just as important for you personally?
Green: “Well, it’s always nice to score three goals in a game and to help the team win along the way. You can say that it was a bit freeing for me. I work very hard every day on my finishing. The goals were a personal reward for that work. Against Regensburg, I hit the post twice so it was nice that it worked out against Augsburg.”
FCB: After a difficult season at Hamburg, you returned to FC Bayern. What did you take away from your time there?
Green: “From a sporting perspective I expected something different but I did get to learn the business of football better there. From a personal perspective, the season in Hamburg didn’t change anything for me. I still firmly believe in my goals.”
FCB: Now you’re back with the reserves at FCB. What goals have you set for yourself there?
Green: “My goal was always and remains to play with the first team. When I play with the reserves I always try to give my best. Personally, I want to continue to develop every single day and help the team along the way. Hopefully at the end that means promotion to the third division for the team.”
FCB: You’re an important part of the team’s attack, playing either on the left wing or in the middle. What is your role in the team exactly?
Green: “I try to help the team with good performances and goals. Whether it’s from the wing or through the middle doesn’t matter. We try to play with a lot of speed up front and our coach gives us a lot of freedom going forward. That’s how I can use my strengths best.”
FCB: Six games remain until the winter break. What do you expect for the rest of the year?
Green: “We still have some tough tasks awaiting us. The goal has to be to win every single game. We’re focused only on our performances and aren’t looking at what the other teams in the league are doing.”
FCB: On Saturday you are playing newly-promoted FC Amberg. What will be decisive in this game?
Green: “That will always depend on us. If we play to our potential we will win the game. It’s very important that we don’t lose our patience. That’s how we’ll be able to score our goals.”
FCB: In your first season with the reserves you scored 15 goals in 23 games. What can we expect from you for the rest of the season?
Green: “It’s difficult to give you a concrete answer to that. But I go into every game giving my absolute all. I’m a forward and want to score goals. As for how many that will be, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
