Genki Haraguchi (30) once again lived up to his reputation as a hard worker. After the morning training session on Tuesday, the Japanese player put in an extra shift. One-on-one duels with his compatriot and team-mate Keita Endo were on the agenda. “I won “, Haraguchi announced later. He is currently succeeding in many things – but not yet in everything.
In the summer, Haraguchi joined 1. FC Union on a free transfer from second-division club Hannover 96 in order to establish himself in the Bundesliga at his second attempt. Unlike his first stint in Berlin, when he was only a supporting player at Hertha BSC between July 2014 and January 2018, the midfielder has been a leading man at Union so far. “He’s a bit like the Duracell Bunny back then. He’s always giving everything, always going all out. I’m really impressed by him, “ said manager Oliver Ruhnert most recently and emphasised: “Genki is one of the winners of the season so far.”
Haraguchi likes the comparison with the Duracell bunny. “It fits well, “ he says. He also liked the victory in the capital derby against his ex-club Hertha, even if it “felt a bit strange” to play against his former team. “But of course I was happy about the win,” says Haraguchi and adds: “I am a Unioner. I’m very proud to be here. “
Unlike before at Hertha, Haraguchi doesn’t play on the wing at Union, but in the centre, usually as an eighth. The position suits the strong midfielder. With four assists in twelve league games for Union, he has already collected almost as many assists as he did in three and a half years for Hertha (seven assists). What is still missing is a goal. “I need to score a goal. I want to make more of a difference in the game,” says Haraguchi.
Haraguchi: “I have no secret “
Despite the lack of penetrating power that has plagued him before at Hertha, the Japanese player is very important for Union’s game. Haraguchi goes wide, not only on the pitch. As a Japanese national player, he has to fly around the world again and again for international matches. I don’t like all the travelling, but I’ve got used to it,” says Haraguchi, who has so far coped well with the travel stresses and seems very fit. “I don’t have a secret. I always get new energy from my family,” he adds.
The next business trip is scheduled for Wednesday, this time to Israel with 1. FC Union. On Thursday the Eisernen, bottom of the group (three points), are challenged in an away game of the Europa Conference League at second-to-last Maccabi Haifa (four points). “Our goal is to get into the next round. We need to win two more games,” Haraguchi said.
Union is still struggling in the European Cup, but things are going much better in the Bundesliga. In fifth place, Urs Fischer’s team is within reach of the Champions League places. “The Champions League is of course my big dream “, says Haraguchi, “but the season is long, we have to look from match to match.
