Interview with Tom Bischof: 'I saw the long break as a chance'

The summer could have been quite a relaxed one for Tom Bischof: a bit of sea, a bit of sun, a bit of space from the day-to-day life of a professional footballer. Instead, the 21-year-old made a deliberate decision for extra shifts in the gym and on the pitch. He’s one of the few first-team players to have completed the whole pre-season having not been involved in the World Cup, and he goes into the new campaign with more responsibility and the number 8 shirt. An interview about how a young player is taking his chance – and what his new squad number reveals about his ambition.

Tom, hand on heart: did you switch off from football on holiday, or stay up for the odd World Cup match? 

Tom Bischof: “Now and then I like to not watch any football, but obviously you can’t go completely without TV – I did watch a few World Cup matches. Still, I was able to swtich off. First I went away with friends, then I spent a lot of time with my family and my girlfriend. For the last two or three weeks, I’ve been training very intensively.”

You’re one of the few players to have done the full pre-season. Did you already have it in your mind on holiday: this is my chance?
“Yes, of course. I saw the long break as a chance. I had a clearly defined plan with the FC Bayern fitness coaches and did some additional work with a personal trainer. It was important to me that everyone knows who’s doing what.”

Pre-season used to mean long runs and medicine balls; nowadays everything is scientifcally organised in detail. Be honest: for the better?
“I certainly toiled a few times on holiday. It’s been intensive but not just simply hard – also guided by science. You need a mixture of both. Going through a bit of pain and overcoming your weaker self is good.”

You’ve inherited the number 8 shirt from Leon Goretzka – what does that mean for you?
“As a child you dream of the 10. That’s what I always wanted when I was younger. Now I play more defensively, so 8 fits. I waited for a while out of respect for Leon, and then initially spoke to Aleks Pavlović. He’s been here longer and is a friend of mine, but Pavlo is sticking with his number. So, I asked and they indicated early that I could have it.”

The 8 carries weight. Is that an incentive for you or also a burden?
“When you play for Bayern, you’re generally under the spotlight anyway, regardless of what number you wear on your back. Nevertheless, squad numbers do have a significance for most people. It's a special feeling to wear such a significant number. I just like it, it suits me. And I appreciate the fact it's been entrusted to me. I want to take the next step now and I definitely believe I’m capable of it. So: incentive! I’m looking forward to wearing the number 8 jersey and will do so with pride.”

Two new signings have joined in Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown. What did you see of them both at the World Cup? 
“I rate Nene very highly, he fits into our system perfectly. I’ve experienced myself how important it is to have a left-back who often moves into the middle and gets involved in attacking play. He has good technique, good passing and can defend strongly too. Saibari had an excellent World Cup, but before that we’d already seen his reading of the game. He’s versatile and will help us.”

It starts with two tough tests straight away in August: Supercup against Dortmund, first league match against Stuttgart. Do you prefer be thrown straight into the action or ease your way in?
“We’ll never get comfortable anyway, the coach makes sure of that. Therefore it’s good that it’s starting with a bang. I think every player would prefer to play games than just train constantly. And the fact it’s starting against Dortmund and Stuttgart, I think is good! We’ll be ready.”

It’s the summer holidays in Bavaria in August. Where did the Bischof family used to go in the holidays?
“Way back, we used to go to Croatia with two other families. We rented a house together there. That was a really nice time with great memories. Then it became more and more difficult because football took over and we normally weren’t free in that period anymore.”

There’s also a partial solar eclipse on August 12th. Do you watch things like that? 
“Yes, generally I do – even though I probably won’t sleep quite as well afterwards, which used to be the case as well.”

Interview taken from the August edition of Members’ Magazine ‘51’.