Interview: I'm ready to take more responsibility: Jerome Boateng (1)

Bayern Munich and German national team defender Jerome Boateng talked in a recent interview with Xinhua of his personal and his teams' ambitions this year.

In the interview, he also talked about the World Cup, Bayern Munich's China Tour as well as his passion for shoes and music. So you will see a colorful Boateng.

Xinhua: Mr. Boateng, you are dressed in a traditional Bavarian outfit, with nice "lederhosen". Is that you what you wear on the way back home from work? We expected you to turn up in a baseball cap and some stylish rapper gear as you are a big fan of RnB and rap music.

Boateng: (Laughing) What did you expect? We Bavarians go to bed in "lederhosen". But honestly we just had a photo shooting with a sponsor - so we wore lederhosen and it's fun - but you are right, it is not what I usually wear.

Xinhua: So now you go home to change and put the lederhosen in the back part of your wardrobe?

Boateng: No, we need it again when we visit the Octoberfest, an outfit like that is just as important for Munich as the FC Bayern is. A lot of young people wear lederhosen in Bavaria - it is getting more and more popular.

Xinhua: Talking about young people: You have got two brothers that are, let's say, colorful characters. You are rather quiet. What went wrong?

Boateng: (Laughing). Went wrong? Many brothers are different. Isn't that a pattern of nature among brothers? Despite our different characters we have a lot in common and the same interests. And you know what? I'm not always the quiet one, with friends and my family I can be like my brothers.

Xinhua: Good to know that as you are one of the leading figures in your team, you can't be too quiet as a leader of a team? And after Bastian Schweinsteiger left for Manchester United, you are one of the players having to take on more responsibility.

Boateng: I have developed as a football player and as a human being. I am father of two daughters, where you also have to be a role model, I can tell you. It is not much different in the job, you don't get far with a big mouth when you are not giving your best and then tell others what they have to do.

Xinhua: That you are a leader comes as no surprise when considering your status at Bayern Munich and for the German national team. You are, among all this stars and big names, the one that is indispensable with his quality.

Boateng: It is something you grow into, well it was in my case. Things did not always go smoothly but if you do things steadily, meaning, work constantly, you have the chance to get to develop. I was never the loud one, but I always took a close look at how I do things, and if necessary, I changed. Getting advice from different coaches helped me a lot.

Xinhua: You once said I found my balance?

Boateng: I changed my game to become more confident on the ball. You get to know what is good for you, what is your best rhythm, what does your body need, what is good to eat. There are so many things to be considered. And on top of everything, I don't care about too many things beside football. I love to do everything to be successful, that helps me to be strong on the pitch.

Xinhua: But you still don't like being called the "defensive leader"?

Boateng: Football is a team sport. I might be an important part of the defense but I don't like the phrase "defensive leader". It is misleading in my eyes as we are a team in the defense and we are a team in general.

Xinhua: But you would not refuse to be captain of Bayern Munich or the German national team?

Boateng: Both are not something I would campaign for, but you are right I would be happy to do both. It's great to be in a position to be considered for jobs like that. It's something you apply for with the quality of your game.

Xinhua: Let us take a look back at last season as some small parts were missing to achieve the ultimate, meaning the Champions League. You once said you missed a killer instinct in the team? Now you have Arturo Vidal in your squad, a real battler.

Boateng: I was not talking about our fighting spirit. I was talking about our effectiveness in scoring goals. We missed too many chances last season. Looking at the games against Barcelona, we had too many injured players and it was a case of energy that ran out for the rest of the team.

Xinhua: So Vidal and Douglas Costa will make Bayern Munich stronger and in a position to win this season's Champions League?

Boateng: They are definitely players that are able to help every team. Vidal is like a wake-up call in some games and we are happy to have both. Both are improving our quality too.

Xinhua: Bayern Munich's Director of Football Matthias Sammer said he wants the team to solve certain issues as a team from now on, without any outside help or advice from the coach?

Boateng: That's another example of a team and its responsibility. You can't always go running to your dad or mum, you have to get certain things done by yourself. Work together as a team. It is not always the coach or the club boss that has to solve problem, many things are the team's responsibility.

Xinhua: Meaning, strategy is another piece that can help to win a fourth consecutive German title which would be a new league record and the Champions League?

Boateng: It is something that helps you gain a better and more solid team spirit.

Xinhua: Especially when you have a hard competition in the team as you have this season.

Boateng: Indeed, we have a hard competition in all positions, and team-spirit will be one of the most important things - we have so many games, often two a week. We can't be successful when not all questions around the team are fully answered. We can't be successful when we waste our energy with internal discussions. We should use all our energy for the sake of the team, then competition within the team can be helpful.

Xinhua: And this season you will be one of the guys keeping things running smoothly?

Boateng: We need the help of everyone in the team. The most important thing is to be there when someone is disappointed when he is sidelined. Every player has to get the feeling of being important for the team. Football is a team-sport and no big team has ever won an important title with only eleven players. It might be hard not to play in an important game during the season, but we have to get it in our heads that the success of club and team is of foremost importance.

(mo