The 23-year old made his first start of the European Championship, and expresses his delight at helping his team reach the quarter-finals.
The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder was a shock choice to replace the suspended Jerome Boateng. Prior to the game the player admitted that it was the first time he was playing as a right full-back. There were concerns about how will
he perform in this unfamiliar role.
Although Joachim Low had a natural full-back in Marcel Schmelzer to replace Boateng but he decided to take the gamble of playing the inexperienced midfielder against Denmark. The Germany head coach was aware of the qualities possessed
by Bender when he decided to pick him over the experienced full-back.
The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder paid back the faith his manager had in him by scoring a dramatic winner late on in the game, which cemented his side’s place in the quarter finals of the European Championship.
“The coach said he trusted me some time ago and I paid that back yesterday,” he is quoted as saying in an interview.
The midfielder who only started playing as a right full-back a day before the Denmark game reflects on his performance and the goal against Morten Olsen’s side. The 23-year old reveals he did not think twice before taking a shot,
he just went for it.
He believes for him to start a game for his country was a massive thing and the goal which he will cherish for years to come doubled his joy.
“You need some time to realise that. It was a special occasion for me to be in the starting line-up. The goal is a great story for me. What I was thinking? Well, I saw the space and went for it, I am overjoyed it worked,” he added.
Germany face Greece in the quarter-finals, and Bender is unlikely to start that match as Jerome Boateng will be back from suspension. Based on his performance against Denmark, the 23-year old should be hopeful of getting a few
more caps under his belt. His versatility will be the key in this tournament if Die Mannschaft squad faces an injury crisis.
Tags: