My first time: Hennes Behrens

You celebrated your first-team debut and made your first Bundesliga appearance in the space of a week. How did the games in Anderlecht and Leverkusen feel?

"That was a very crazy week. In Anderlecht, I was particularly impressed by the crowd, which was something completely different to what I'm used to. When I was substituted on in injury time at 4-3, the game was really tight. The stadium was at boiling point, the fans of both teams were so loud that you couldn't make out anything on the pitch. That was a great experience."

You then got significantly more minutes in Leverkusen, playing just under half an hour in the 3-1 defeat. Which game was more emotional?

"My debut in the Bundesliga was even more special. Probably also because I'd been working towards this moment for so many years. I was also celebrating my debut against the German champions, playing against stars I only knew from television. That topped the Europa League game, it was even more breathtaking."

How nervous were you?

"When I came on, I was just over the moon and totally happy. Even though Leverkusen had a player red carded, we'd just scored to make it 3-1 and the game was very much one of contention, I didn't think much about it. I don't have a big problem with tension because I always just want to enjoy myself. I also got off to a good start with a lot of touches of the ball. The only thing I was focusing on was the fact that we might still be able to do something with an extra man. But after the game, when the adrenaline level had dropped again, I had a moment where I felt a bit like I was in a film."

Did the shirts from the two games get place of honour?

"Well, that's a funny story. I have to admit that I had forgotten about the shirt from the Europa League game for a while. We went for a run with our fitness coach after the final whistle and I had a jumper on. Then I took both off together and threw them in the wash. When I noticed it the next day because Florian Micheler asked me about it, I was totally shocked and called our kit manager Christian Seyfert, who gave it to me the next day - albeit washed and no longer necessarily matchworn. (laughs) Flo then laughed at me a bit. But that didn't happen to me against Leverkusen. I took it with me straight after the game, put it in a frame and hung it up in my house."

You didn't fancy swapping shirts with someone?

"To be honest, I didn't have the courage. I think it will take a while. But in hindsight, I would have loved to swap. Especially with Jeremie Frimpong, as he was my opposite number. There's also a cool picture with him from a challenge we had for the ball. However, I have to admit: when he gets going, you have to get everything right to have a chance of stopping him. I tried to defend like I usually do, but it felt like he already had five metres on me." (laughs)

How did your friends and family react to your "crazy week"?

"My mum in particular was incredibly happy. She was in the stadium for the Tottenham game, when I was in the squad, and also came to Anderlecht and Leverkusen. She was so happy that I almost had the feeling she was happier for me than I was. It was really emotional and it meant a lot to me that she was there each time. I don't think it's something she'll forget any time soon. I gave her my shirt from the game against Tottenham, and it now has place of honour."