New home, mental strength and knee 'Francesco': Barbara Dunst interview

Between rehab sessions and bike rides along the Isar, Barbara Dunst opens a new chapter. The 27-year-old Austrian is new at FC Bayern – and already feels a bit like at home in Munich with the closeness to nature. Speaking to fcbayern.com, she explains why the city is so good for her, why she gave her knee a name, and the reasons why rehab is more than just the way back to the pitch for her.

Dunsti – can we call you that?
Barbara Dunst: “Yes, absolutely (laughs)! Almost everyone calls me that by now. In Frankfurt it was more ‘Baba’, but ‘Dunsti’ is also perfectly fine – my brother was called the same.”

How have your first few weeks been here in Munich? 
“Very nice. I’ve visited several times before – to see Carina, Kathi or Zadi [Carina Wenninger, Katharina Naschenweng & Sarah Zadrazil]. We Austrians have a bit of history here, don’t we? (laughs) I already moved to Munich on 20 May so that I could take my time – for the city, the new home and the new surroundings.”

How did you spend the first few weeks? 
“I was outdoors a lot – in the English Garden, on Lake Tegernsee, on the road bike in and around Munich. I even bought a camping chair so that I can sit on the Isar. Those quiet moments gave me a lot.”

What do you mean by that exactly?
“Munich slows you down. The closeness to nature, the abundance of green spaces, the water – it reminds me of my home near Graz. Munich already feels a bit like home. Eibsee is next on my list.”

Let’s move on to sporting matters: you’re new at FC Bayern – while being injured. What went through your mind when it was clear that the club wanted to sign you despite your current injury?
“To be given that trust by a club like FC Bayern in a period like this is not a matter of course. I wasn’t able to give much back in a sporting sense at that time, which is exactly why it meant even more. They didn’t just see me as a player but also as a person, as part of a shared future. I want to repay this faith with performances.”

What were your first impressions of the Campus? 
“Very good, I’ve been very warmly received. The Campus is very big and professional – exactly the environment you want as an athlete. You have everything you need here to work at your best and be successful. You immediately notice that a structure has been created here in which you can develop optimally.”

Was the transfer something special for your family as well? 
“Yes, definitely, My dad always said: ‘You have to go to Bayern one day!’ It’s a special moment for him, also because the games are now closer to home.”

A lot’s happened in recent months: injury, change of club, new city. Your rehab falls in the middle of this period. How do you handle that?
“With gratitude. It might sound strange but I don’t see rehab as a set back, rather as a chance. I’d never had an injury before, I’ve always been fit. And then came the cruciate ligament. I didn’t see it as a drama but as an invitation to sort myself out.”

What do you mean by that exactly?
“You gain a lot of experiences in life, and with each one you grow a bit. Even before my injury, I learned how to deal with different situations and challenges. That resilience is helping me a lot now. Football is incredibly important to me but it’s not everything. I’ve taken a lot of strength from those around me during this time, they’ve always supported me – especially as a person, not just as a player. That gives me stability and motivation to come back step by step.”

How do you deal emotionally with the injury? 
“I see this phase as my personal journey – physically and mentally. But what I particularly cherish is that even before my transfer, everyone who looked after me gave me their full support and did everything they could to help me get fit again. Since my move to Bayern, Moritz [Lemmle] from the conditioning team and our rehab coach Basit [Dr Basit Ahmad] are now guiding me. Both are doing a great job, not just technically but also personally.”

And your knee has been given a special name, hasn’t it?
“Yes. To make it a little easier to deal with, I even gave my knee a name: it's called Francesco. (laughs) Every morning I say: ‘Good morning, Francesco.’ That helps me.”

How important is the aforementioned trust that you receive here?
“It’s fundamental. I’ve never had the feeling of ‘just’ being the injured one. On the contrary: I was integrated early and my progress is being closely monitored.”

Have you already been in contact with the coaching team? 
“Yes, I’ve already had some good conversations with José [Barcala]. Honest, approachable, positive. Particularly during a rehab, it’s valuable to feel that you’re not on the outside, but part of the whole.”

What’s your target for the coming months? 
“My focus is on getting fit – and for the long term. I want a knee that holds, that I can work fully with. It’s not just about the return to the pitch, though, but also about growing as a person. I’m more than just the player and I feel that I still have a lot ahead of me.”

Would you say you’re coming back stronger – physically and mentally? 
“That’s my aim. And I’m on the right track. My body is recovering, my mind is clearer and my view of the bigger picture has changed. I now know better who I am, what I need and what I can work on. I’m looking forward to the moment when I’m back on the pitch.”

Thanks a lot for your time, Dunsti. 
“Thank you.”

Head coach José Barcala spoke in an interview about his first encounter with FC Bayern, among other things: