Pirmin Schwegler: “I’m rooting for the team”

Hello Pirmin, how are you and how is your knee?

Pirmin Schwegler: I’m doing well and my knee is getting better. The healing process is going well. Up until now my knee hasn’t reacted badly to anything we’ve tried. I think we can say we’re well on track. But it will take time, I can’t rush it. 

How are you getting on with the rehab training? What are you able to do again?

Schwegler: I have another appointment with the doctor this week and I hope that I won’t need to use crutches anymore. At the moment I can only put partial weight on my leg so it’s quite difficult to find exercises that I can actually do. But our trainer Otmar Rösch always has new ideas. I spend a lot of time in water to strengthen my leg and I can still do a lot to improve my stamina.

You had your operation in Switzerland because you have already had a good experience there?

Schwegler: Unfortunately yes. I had the same injury about three years ago in my left knee whilst playing for the national team. So I already knew a doctor over there and I had a very good experience. After the operation I have never had another problem with the knee and I hope it stays that way.

You started the season well. Now you have to start again. What are your personal goals?

Schwegler: It’s not a good idea to rush back into things too early. That’s hard to accept before I’m ambitious and I want to be on the pitch again as soon as possible. I want to get my fitness back up and get back in the same shape I was before I got injured. If I manage to do that then I will get game time again.

How do you follow the team and their matches?

Schwegler: It’s more intense that being on the pitch yourself. You really get behind the team. I feel almost like a coach when I sit in the stands and know best (laughs). You get a totally different perspective on the match. It feels good to see the team playing well. The atmosphere is better and recovery training is easier when I know the team are doing well.

After four draws, you have won two matches in a row. It looks like things are going well. Where does the team still need to improve?

Schwegler: We are defending better as a team and we are posing a real threat upfront too. The team are playing better together. But there is always room for improvement. We could have sealed the deal earlier in the last two matches. There is always something to work on and I hope we can remain unbeaten for longer. I think we can get the three points in our next match against SC Freiburg.

It’s international break this weekend. Is it a break for you too?

Schwegler: I’ll only have one day off so that I can travel to the doctor to let him examine my knee. Actually, when you’re injured, you have more to do. I don’t need any days off at the moment. I want to have these days off over the winter break when I’m fit and healthy again.