"Team spirit more important than people think": Sebastian Rode

Bayern Munich midfielder Sebastian Rode is in his prime years. But after transferring to the star-studded football club from Eintracht Frankfurt two years ago, he could not see the field as often as he wishes. Does he want to leave? How can he keep himself motivated? Rode told his story in a recent interview with Xinhua:

Xinhua: Mr. Rode, we hope you don't mind but we had mixed feelings when we heard we be talking to you?

Rode: (laughing) Ups, you must be kidding! Why that?

Xinhua: We remembered what Bayern Munich's Director of Football Matthias Sammer said about you.

Rode: (Laughing) Ok, now I know. But calm down, I'm a friendly kind of person.

Xinhua: To be honest we're glad to hear that and glad we don't have to face you on the pitch. On the pitch you, according to reports, are not someone an opponent wants to see. Matthias Sammer called you a "mentality monster". Looking into your blue eyes ...

Rode: And?

Xinhua: We are not as scared as we expected. Some of our questions come back to mind. And now we hope you don't mind again that we wondered why a player like you joins a club like Bayern Munich. Almost the entire top half of the German Bundesliga would love to have your services like several top European clubs, but you play for a club in which even world stars have to expect to sit on the bench as the squad is jam-packed with top players.

Rode: I feel like a full member of the squad despite the fact that I don't play as much as I'd like in my second year having appeared in over 30 games in my first. Before you ask, I don't regret joining Bayern Munich two years ago. There is no doubt that my game has improved. Everyone does when they play for a club as good as Bayern. And it can't be a surprise that a squad like the one at Bayern grows stronger every year and has big aims.

Xinhua: Meaning: You have to be tough to survive in such a squad?

Rode: It might be a different start for someone who is bought for 40 million euros or someone like me, who comes without a transfer fee. But I was looking for a challenge and was (and still am) happy to get the chance to join a club like Bayern.

Xinhua: Would you recommend a younger player or, let us say, someone who is not already a top-star, to join a big club like Bayern?

Rode: Of course, it depends on what you want as a player, you have to face reality. But in general not doubt, yes. For me, I can say I have improved immensely.

Xinhua: Bayern's midfield above all seems to have a multitude of stars. The midfield is your favorite position as well, but you're also able to play in other positions, even in defense.

Rode: I see myself as a teamplayer. To have team spirit is much more important for success as you might think at first glance. What you can achieve we all could see in that tremendous game against Juventus Wednesday evening. Sometimes team spirit means not to give up.

Xinhua: And your values are connected with what Matthias Sammer said, you can rely on a strong mentality?

Rode: I think it's my job to give my all.

Xinhua: And that would be?

Rode: Counter pressing, regain the ball and drive forwards.

Xinhua: Is it hard to stay motivated not playing too much?

Rode: It's something nobody likes. But I see myself as a part of the team. Every training session is a challenge and an opportunity to prove that I'm ready to enter the fray, no matter in which minute or in what position.

Xinhua: Rumors have suggested that you might leave the club. First during the last winter break, now for next summer's transfer period. Are you considering leaving Bayern?

Rode: That is something we might possibly talk about after the season has finished. Everyone basically wants to be on the pitch. At Bayern, due to the many games, you have lots of chances to play. The coach has to make a decision every three days, a decision against 14 players who won't be involved on the pitch. But it's something I deal with in a positive way. It doesn't make sense in my mind to argue about.

Xinhua: Talking about coaches and your coach Pep Guardiola. Guardiola is leaving Bayern next summer. Some expected problems but team and coach seem to be dealing well with the situation some call a lame duck situation?

Rode: Quite frankly, I'm amused to read some of the comments and assumptions. Ok, our coach is leaving at the end of the season. But together with him we have aims, and don't forget, the team doesn't work to only please its coach. It doesn't affect the daily work together. Pep Guardiola and we work fully concentrated on a high level. We have all not forgotten the last years together and what we've achieved together.

Xinhua: Next summer an experienced man like Carlo Ancelotti will take over. How long does it take in your experience to get used to a new coach or to get to know him?

Rode: I think it differs and depends on the character of both coach and team. There are some that you can assess better while others take longer to decipher.

Xinhua: Meaning there are some you could call easy-going and others that are, let's say, a real character?

Rode: Football is like in real life.

Xinhua: You can call Pep Guardiola a character, meaning he is a unique man with an aura. How long did it take to get to know him or is that impossible?

Rode: He is a coach with a lot of experience and ideas and demands. He always wants the best and everyone can see how we've developed as a team when you look at tactical flexibility, the pace of our game and the training quality. It is very special working with him and it's so special to have had the opportunity to meet him.

Xinhua: Meaning, Pep Guardiola is someone who is harder to assess than others?

Rode: He's a thrilling person full of ideas and not easy to assess, but I think he knows that. But I think his character is something that is part of the figure, Guardiola. It is thrilling to see him as a perfectionist and to see his passion for football.

Xinhua: Have your thoughts about Bayern changed in comparison to the ones you had before you came to the club?

Rode: A club like Bayern is a new dimension. To go through a training session with 3000 or more people watching at our training ground is something very special. I'm amazed by the structure and organization, and about the feeling everybody working here have about their club. That feeling is part of the corporate identity of Bayern Munich.

Xinhua: We've heard when you were young you were a fan of Borussia Dortmund.

Rode: (laughing) ... yes, Matthias Sammer was playing at that time for Borussia Dortmund ...

Xinhua: That's why you can talk about it being a part of Bayern Munich's squad today?

Rode: (Laughing) I guess you are right.

Xinhua: Looking at the last two years, is it something you like that Borussia Dortmund, at least in the Bundesliga, is closing the gap on Bayern?

Rode: In the last two seasons there was maybe less competition and tension as far as the Bundesliga was concerned. To have a club like Borussia Dortmund closing the gap is positive for us as Bayern Munich. It maybe keeps you a tiny bit more concentrated.

Xinhua: Would you say this helps a club like Bayern Munich, not only in respect of the Bundesliga but the Champions League as well?

Rode: In the end it's something what you would call a theory, and we'll have to see how big the impact is this season, especially when it comes to the Champions League. But looking at it in general, I think it helps. It's also great for German football to have a second club that might be a challenger on the international stage. But don't let us forget VfL Wolfsburg, they've also done a good job so far in the Champions League by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in the club's history.

Xinhua: Talking to football pros we often hear the words "career plan", meaning, the player, and maybe his managers, know exactly where they want to go. Do you have such a plan?

Rode: If you have a career plan, you should consider all the things that can happen in between. Like injuries, different coaches especially as you might not get along with some of them. In that respect, it is hard to go into details when talking about a career plan. For young footballers, it's always helpful to have an alternative in mind. Meaning: To have a solid school education. These days we have a good academy system in most clubs. Clubs and schools or companies collaborate in providing the basis for a dual system linking sport and education.

Xinhua: Let's talk about the footballers that have made it into the German national team and will play at EURO 2016 in France next summer. Who is going to win the tournament?

Rode: I am sure Germany will play a major role in France.

Xinhua: Franck Ribery, who finished his international career for France just a few months ago, said Germany will be the one to watch.

Rode: (Laughing) Well, if someone like a unique player like Franck says something like that we should sit up and take notice. Endi