Manuel Filehner: “I can still give a lot”

Manuel Filehner: “I can still give a lot”

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Manuel Filehner, FC Südtirol hasn't won in three games and has therefore lost some ground in the fight for the title. Is the team disappointed?

Fish catcher: “The anger is there, but the mood is still good. We were at the top of the table for a long time, so you get used to always winning. It is believed that after three games without a win they have lost a lot of points. But we are ahead. In retrospect you can also be satisfied with the draws against Padova and Carpi.”

After the Padova game there was a lot of excitement about an alleged penalty foul against you that wasn't whistled. How do you see this scene?

“At first it was a crystal clear penalty for me. I passed the ball past the defender and was already thinking about how I was going to shoot. Just then, he caught me by the feet. I watched it on TV and it looks like it's shoulder to shoulder. But that wasn't the problem. If you look closely and stop the scene, you'll see that he catches me at the bottom. As far as I’m concerned, you have to give the penalty.”

For Manuel Fischlerler, this scene was a clear penalty. He was not whistled in the top game against Padova.

In the top game, Stefano Vecchi switched to a 4-3-3, although the 4-4-2 with a diamond is his regular system at FC Südtirol...

“That’s right, we did this for the first time. The coach tailored this to Padova because their full-backs are extremely high. With the diamond we leave more space and he wanted to stop that. I think it worked well. Maybe the 4-3-3 is an option for the next games, but in any case it is an additional variant. That’s positive.”

Things aren't really going well for the FCS attackers. What are the reasons for the few striker goals?

“I don’t know one reason either. We have scored 40 goals and are one of the strongest attacking teams in the league. So we're already scoring our goals, but at the moment it's more the midfielders. Maybe as strikers we lack confidence and we should think less and approach things with more ease.”

Is it a problem for you that there is no regular formation in attack?

“We have five strikers, each of whom always wants to play. That's how it is for a team that wants to play for the title. That's why we know that there is competition. But everyone here knows that it's good for the team. Nobody sees it as a loss of trust when they sit on the bench.”

“A striker is measured by goals and I know that I have no continuity there.” Manuel Fischnler

How should the shortcoming of the lack of striker goals be solved?

“I see the positive. Although we strikers don't score much, we are ahead. If our goals are added to that, then it will be fine. We work hard on it in every training session, everyone wants to improve. We have the quality to score a lot of goals.”

Vecchi demands a lot of running and defensive work from the offensive players. Is this a disadvantage for the attackers?

“That’s the coach’s playing system. He demands a lot in the defensive phase, we run and press a lot. We strikers do that well too. Of course, it could be that the coolness is missing in the 70th minute. You can use that as an alibi, but I don’t want that and I don’t think it is.”

You came back to FC Südtirol a year ago. What is your balance sheet?

“I came back to play at the front with FC Südtirol. It worked. A striker is measured by goals and I know that I have no continuity there. I have never scored properly since I returned. I have to improve because I know I can score goals. And I'm mentally strong enough to put aside bad games and keep going. Such phases are part of football. Nobody can perform at 100 percent every game, every season. Unless your name is Messi or Ronaldo. I still have a lot to give.”

“We’re real painkillers, we have the bite.” Manuel Fischnler

In which system and tactical environment do you feel most comfortable?

“I really like the way we play. I stand a little more with my back to the goal than like a winger in a 4-3-3. There you can dribble more, start individual actions and stand out more. I'm not the same guy I was ten years ago. Back then I took the ball and tried something. This was often spectacular. Now I have learned when I have to play and when I can dribble.”

There have been a lot of failures and suspensions in the last few games. Does that hinder a team?

“We have a large and good squad. If one fails, another is there. The best example came against Padova, where the main central defense, Vinetot and Malomo, were not there. Then Polak and Curto played a great game. Or Hannes Fink, who is a symbol of the team. He hasn't played at all or played five minutes in the last few weeks. Nevertheless, he was always important for the team. You can see our group there, where everyone fights for each other.”

The last third of the season has begun. Why is FC Südtirol fighting for the title until the end?

“We have the cohesion, the strength of the group. Playing against us is not pleasant. We're real painkillers, we've got the bite. That can take us to the top until the end. We had a little setback, but from Saturday we want to go back to winning three points.”

Interview: Christian Staffler

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