Jamie Leweling is ready to hit the ground running in the UEFA Europa League. The 24-year-old is set to make his first VfB appearance in the competition against Celta Vigo on Thursday evening, having played seven Europa League games for Union Berlin during the 2022/23 season. The winger whetted everyone’s appetite for the tournament in his speech at Schlossplatz in the aftermath of VfB’s DFB Cup final victory, telling the assembled onlookers that the Cannstatt side are determined to go all the way in the continental competition.
Speaking ahead of the Matchday 1 clash with the Liga outfit, Leweling assessed VfB’s upcoming opponents and explained why he is racking up so many assists this season.
Hi Jamie, how often have you been asked about your speech at Stuttgart’s Schlossplatz after the DFB Cup final win?
Jamie: “Far too often (laughs). In my speech, I set out a big, ambitious goal after lifting the cup – and I stand by it. It’s important to have dreams and to work hard to fulfil them. Anything’s possible in the Europa League. We obviously want to make a successful start to the league phase of the competition, and we’re totally focused on our first game.”
During your pre-season preparations back in July, you beat your opening Europa League opponents Celta Vigo 2-1 in Reutlingen. How important was that result?
Jamie: “Friendlies aren’t normally as important as league games, but I remember the match against Celta Vigo quite clearly. It was a really tough game in the middle of our preparations, with a lot of full-blooded tackles. We did well to hold our own and ended up winning 2-1 – and I scored too. We’d settle for the same outcome [on Thursday]. We know what to expect, to some degree.”
What else sets Celta Vigo apart, in your view?
Jamie: “Celta Vigo play good football and are technically very adept, which is typical for a Spanish side. It’s a really tough challenge at the start of our Europa League campaign, but one we’re looking forward to.”
Impressively, you’ve already registered three assists in the Bundesliga this season – as many as you managed in the entirety of last term. How have you managed that?
Jamie: “First and foremost, I could have got a few more assists last season (laughs). I’m delighted that things are going so well at the moment. I’ve been training a lot and working on certain things in particular. I’m also focusing even more on the essentials – including everything I do before and after training sessions. Off the pitch, I spend a lot of time thinking about football, my game and our opponents. On top of that, I’ve become a bit more versatile on the left and right flanks.”
It also looks like you’ve not only been working hard on the pitch, but you’ve also been working up a sweat in the gym…
Jamie: “I did two or three weeks of intense strength training during the summer break and again in pre-season. That’s all done now. I’ve now reached a level that suits my style of play. I’m feeling very fit and ready for a long season, in which we want to be as successful as possible in all competitions.”
