Amos Pieper and Marvin Ducksch both came through the academy at Borussia Dortmund but play in different positions. While Pieper looks to prevent the opposition from scoring goals, Ducksch tries to score them for Werder. They spoke to WERDER.de together during the training camp in Zillertal.
WERDER.DE: Moin Amos, moin Marvin. You’ve had some long days here so far in Austria, how has it been for you both?
Marvin Ducksch: It’s been good, but it’s obviously starting to wear us down. We’ve had some tough training sessions already and have some tiring ones still to come.
Amos Pieper: The past few days have been tiring, but there’s a reason for it – that’s how it should be in pre-season. It’s also cool to spend so much time with one another.
WERDER.DE: How has it been with the new signings and returnees during the friendlies?
Marvin Ducksch: The lads that have come back know how we want to play. The new signings haven’t taken long to understand our game. Our hunger has been clear for all to see during the friendlies.
Amos Pieper: I was new myself this time last year. Of the players current fit, only Dawid and Justin are completely new. I’ve already played with those around me in the team anyway, apart from maybe Leon Opitz. All the young lads are doing really well.
WERDER.DE: You two both know what it can be like coming into a new team. What tips would you give any new lads?
Target practice ????#werderpic.twitter.com/HpjJSolvzc
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) July 24, 2023
Marvin Ducksch: There is no set way. Amos knows from last year that you don’t need long to settle in here. Everybody is quickly made to feel welcome and the lads always get you involved. It makes it really easy for the newbies.
Amos Pieper: We chat about a lot of things away from the training pitch during training camp too. We have plenty of time to have a laugh and a joke here, but we are fully focused once we get out onto the training ground.
Spirits ???? in Zillertal! ????#werderpic.twitter.com/rtYMKpKHum
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) July 20, 2023
WERDER.DE: You both played for Borussia Dortmund’s academy. It took Marvin a while to get going at his first club. What do you need to settle in at a club?
Marvin Ducksch: I wasn’t as mature as I am now. I made some mistakes and I didn’t live as professionally as you should as a footballer. I have improved on that and I’m on the right track now.
WERDER.DE: Amos, the most difficult stage in your career was perhaps when you initially weren’t accepted into the U17s at BVB. Did you gain strength from that?
Amos Pieper: I’m not sure how much that really shaped me. There were reasons for it – I wasn’t that big and I’ve never been blessed with that much footballing talent. I’ve always had to work hard for everything, which isn’t actually a bad thing because I know how to be successful as an underdog.
WERDER.DE: As well as your shared history in Dortmund, there are several differences between you two. One is an attacker, the other a defender. Amos, are you happy with Marvin’s work off the ball?
Amos Pieper: Yes, he works really hard. I remember last season at Hertha when he had scored a hat-trick and he was still sprinting after a ball in the 90th minute. It’s good to see from defence how the lads up front give their all right until the final whistle. It’s a great quality to have and it really helped us in the second half of the season.
It’s a great quality to have and it really helped us in the second half of the season.Amos Pieper
WERDER.DE: Nobody covered more ground than you in the 2022/23 season, Marvin – both at Werder and in the league (327 km). Where were you running to?
Marvin Ducksch: Good question (laughs). Sometimes I actually want to run less. Jokes aside though, I have always been desperate to win since I was young. I’m more than happy to defend in our penalty box. My main priority is to win games. I try to take some of the work off the other players and make life as easy as possible for them.
WERDER.DE: Is there anything that you really like about Amos and you’d like for your game?
Marvin Ducksch: I’ll have to have a think about that (laughs). No, he had one of the best challenge success rates in the Bundesliga. That says a lot and is something we needed too. He’s always looking to get better and we notice that as his teammates. I’m therefore confident that he will improve this season.
WERDER.DE: And what quality of Marvin’s would you like, Amos?
Amos Pieper: His first touch. There aren’t many players that can do so much with their first touch. He can not only set himself up for a shot, but also get himself into a position to spread the play or pass the ball. He has great vision and makes few mistakes. It’s really impressive and everyone in the team can learn something from him.
WERDER.DE: We’ll look forward to seeing more of that in the Bundesliga this season. Thank you both for your time.
