Lorenz Assignon has battled back from his shoulder operation and made his “friendly comeback” in the 3-0 win against 1. FC Heidenheim last Friday, scoring the second goal with a scissor kick. The 26-year-old talks about the feelings upon his return and his next steps.
Hello Lorenz, you made your ‘comeback’ from a shoulder injury in last Friday’s friendly. How did you feel after?
Lorenz Assignon: “Good, it all went well. I’m very happy to finally be back on the pitch and able to play again. My family, friends and team-mates were really pleased for me about my friendly comeback.”
Not many footballers can claim to have scored with an overhead kick on their comeback in a friendly. Yours made it 2-0 against Heidenheim – was that one of your best ever goals?
Lorenz Assignon: “It was certainly a very nice goal, but not the best in my view. I scored a few great goals for Rennes, my former club, in the Europa League. I have to include those goals too (laughs).”
Lorenz Assignon:
I’m pleased with every minute of playing time I get.
What’s the focus for you now in training for the rest of the international period?
Lorenz Assignon: “Individually, it’s about fine-tuning things now: optimal mobility in all aspects of the game, aggression and uncompromising tackling. I feel like I’m gradually getting all my energy back on the pitch. Training with the team also helps with that.”
To what extent does Thursday’s friendly in Aspach against Greuther Fürth offer another opportunity to get playing time?
Lorenz Assignon: “That’s the plan – the international period has come at a very convenient time for me. The two friendlies are important for me to see how far I’ve come, where I’m at and what I still need to work on. I’m pleased with every minute of playing time I get.”
