Dodi Lukebakio came on loan from Hertha BSC at the last minute in the summer, but he has rarely impressed at VfL Wolfsburg. Now he speaks for the first time about the past few months, criticism and his wishes.
Mr Lukebakio, in the test against Hansa Rostock you scored Wolfsburg’s consolation goal to make the final score 1:3. Your first goal in a VfL jersey – did it take too long for you?
Yes, far too long. Waiting that long is not easy for a striker. But I hope it was the first of many goals from me now.
Your move from Berlin to Wolfsburg shortly before the transfer deadline surprised many. You too?
No. I wanted to leave Hertha, the club knew that. For my development, I wanted to do something else. When Wolfsburg came, I knew I wanted to change. Also because VfL play in the Champions League, that’s where every player wants to go. There had already been contact with VfL once, after my season in Düsseldorf.
What do you want your development to look like?
I want to play a lot of games, take the next step. I hope that’s possible here.
You are on loan without an option to buy. Can you imagine a return to Berlin or would you prefer to stay in Wolfsburg?
My focus is fully on Wolfsburg this year, then we’ll see.
It’s international break, why aren’t you with the Belgian national team?
A good question (laughs). I don’t know, I’m surprised that I’m not there. I haven’t heard anything from the coach. But for me it means: I have to work harder, have to score goals.
After the 0:2 at Union Berlin, you recently had to take a lot of criticism because of your defensive behaviour. How did you deal with it?
What can I say? Of course I have to do better. You learn in every game, criticism is always part of it. It doesn’t bother me, criticism makes me stronger. I know I have weaknesses, that’s what I have to work on to improve.
What are your weaknesses?
I can work defensively, but sometimes I have to try to do more in that area. It’s not so easy for a striker who always wants to have offensive actions. Specifically on the action against Union before the 0:2: I have to be more stable there, stay standing. These are things I have to work on.
How would you describe your strengths?
My speed, sure, also my technique. But I still have to get better at that. But it hasn’t been easy in the past few weeks: I’m a newcomer, we’ve had a lot of games in the Bundesliga and Champions League and not that much time to train. It’s hard to get used to the team and the players. When the team gets to know me better, knows how I play, then I’m sure I can help the team.
For example, like in the 2:0 in Leverkusen, when you had good actions as a substitute and prepared the 1:0 through Lukas Nmecha?
That’s what I mean. Against Leverkusen, I went deep again and again, got good balls. If we play like that, I can help the team even more.
It was the first game under Florian Kohfeldt. Are things better for you now under the new coach?
He came with a different strategy, a different system. You could see that it fit straight away.
What percentage of Dodi Lukebakio have the VfL fans already seen?
Hard to say. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to show much of my offensive qualities yet, there’s definitely a lot more going on.
Your ex-coach in Düsseldorf, Friedhelm Funkel, says it would be worthwhile to get involved with you, to give you a hug. Is he right?
I’m always glad to hear what he says. I had a good time under him, and he’s right: if people trust me, I pay them back on the pitch. But as I said before: I am an attacker, not a defender. My job is to score goals. And if I can also help the team defensively, why not?