The former Stuttgart star Timo Baumgartl speaks exclusively at Sport1 about his debut in the MLS against La Galaxy, his time in top European football and his cancer.
Timo Baumgartl plays football again. After his contract termination at Schalke 04 last year last year, the native of Böblinger remained without a club for almost half a year.
In the meantime, however, he has found a new club. In the American MLS, he signed a two -year contract with St. Louis City SC at the beginning of the year. The 29-year-old made his debut against Los Angeles Galaxy.
During his time at Union Berlin, Timo Baumgartl was removed a dog tumor
In an interview with Sport1, Baumgartl spoke exclusively about his first experiences in the MLS, his ups and downs in his previous career and his testicular cancer, which he has now defeated.
Sport1 : You have been substituted in the 3-0 against Los Angeles Galaxy and made your debut for St. Louis City SC. How did the change to the USA came about?
Timo Baumgartl: I always wanted to play in the MLS or in America. That has always been my dream and it really felt this time. I had some other things that I could have done, but I consciously decided to come here. On the one hand because Lutz Pfannenstiel (sports director, editor’s note ) showed me a great plan on how to integrate me, and on the other hand I have already known to many boys here. So I thought: Come on, I do that.
Sport1 : Who prevailed against St. Louis if there were other offers?
Baumgartl: A couple from the MLS, a couple from Germany were interested, but at some point I made the decision to say after a long time that I would like to be somewhere else again, I want to experience an adventure. And for me it was clear at some point because St. Louis made so hard that I want to do this.
Sport1 : Stuttgart, Union, Schalke. So far you have played with numerous traditional clubs with many fans …
Baumgartl: Not to forget Eindhoven!
Sport1 : Not a small club either. How is it now? What is different in St. Louis?
Baumgartl: Of course it’s a little different here. I was used to not flying away from the team that is not so far to play away and there are significantly more fans from your own team. But of course this is a cool experience. Now you play here in LA, you travel the country, you have many different options, play against many different teams. But you also have two hours difference. This is always a bit problematic for me now and also new, but it’s just fun and I just notice that the desire for football is still there.
“Some things went wrong!” Baumgartl looks back on his Schalke period
“Some things went wrong!” Baumgartl looks back on his Schalke period
Sport1 : In addition, many German boys are in the squad, to what extent does this make integration easy?
Baumgartl: Of course it makes it easy for me, I know the boys, with many I played together in the youth national teams, against Roman (Bürki, editor’s note ) in the Bundesliga. That makes it easy for me. The boys received me great and for me it’s just about finding rhythm. I have now played the first competitive game after eleven months, that’s a long time. The club has a plan with me, it was clear from the start that I would need my time, but at some point I am ready for it.
Sport1 : After such a short time here, what is the difference between MLS football from European football?
Baumgartl: This is a good question. I believe that a lot differs tactically. You have a few players who are incredible in one against one, but also not want to defend. It is different in Europe, when you are drilled to defend well, the entire team. But I have the feeling that every team can play football that every team has very good players with them.
Baumgartl: “Unfortunately, some things went wrong”
Sport1 : Schalke was not an easy time. How do you remember the club and fans?
Baumgartl: It was not an easy time, it was a very exhausting time, but I wouldn’t miss it anyway because I learned a lot for my life. It was the case that unfortunately some things went wrong. But I never look back, but to the front. I wish the club all the best, I’ve always said that I have no resentment on the fans, the club or anything else. But for me the chapter is complete. I was happy that they won in Berlin, greetings to the Schalke. I still keep my fingers crossed for the club because I have many boys with whom I am still in contact with whom I am still good friends.
Timo Baumgartl has meanwhile been banished to the second team at FC Schalke
Sport1 : How much does it impress the development of VfB Stuttgart?
Baumgartl: Of course madness. When I was without a club, I trained there, the club gave me the opportunity to keep me fit. On the one hand, that was of course great for me, but I also got insights. Gente (Christian Gentner, editor’s note ) is a long -time captain of me, is now sports director there. I was able to sniff a little bit of how the team works. I have seen many known faces, and you just have to pull the hat how it works now, even with the double load, as you can still get it, that is worth all honors. Honestly, I didn’t expect things going so well last year – after the years before. But I was all the more happy and I can honestly say that my heart is still beating for VfB and I am always happy and try to watch the games here. 8.30 a.m. is a bit early, but mostly I’m already in training, we Germans always look at the Bundesliga conference.
Baumgartl: “You still don’t want to miss experience”
Sport1 : You were very openly dealt with with your testicular cancer. To what extent did that change the view of football?
Baumgartl: Of course, life is something different now. I think you should not be confronted with death in the mid -20s. Of course, this is a life experience that you have to have in the situation. Of course, you somehow change the view of life, you enjoy things more. You just appreciate other things more. You are not always so angry when you lose a game. You are still disappointed afterwards, but for me it somehow passed faster.
Sport1 : Do you often think about this difficult time?
Baumgartl: There are moments when I remember how it was when I ran through this gear in oncology. I think 60 percent of people who were there are no longer alive. Many I got to know have died. That changes one. You have a different view of life, as stupid as it sounds, but the experience I have had, you still don’t want to miss it. Anyone who has survived or who fights against it knows what it is about. For me it was always an important goal to be a role model because of course I have a look and also a way to be public. I just wanted to give the people to have their old life back as quickly as possible. That was what drove me.
Sport1 : What are the wishes for the football career?
Baumgartl: I have now become 29, no longer the youngest (laughs) . Physically everything is great. I came here to find my rhythm. It is getting better. I knew it took time and I was working hard to get back to the previous level. I’m slowly getting my missions, this is important for myself and then hopefully I will soon appear in the starting eleven, that’s my goal. As a team, of course, we – we have now started the season quite well – to improve some things. As a team we want to go to the playoffs, and then you will see what happens.
Sport1 : How is life in the USA when comparing the idea and reality?
Baumgartl: I think St. Louis is such a typical American city. We have now found a house, we are currently sleeping on a mattress with a slatted frame on the floor because there are no furniture yet – the classic moving life. But I get a lot with the boys, I also get very clearly in the city, so you are warmly welcomed. It is a real football town, you are recognized to some extent. People are friendly, helpful and the club also helps in all possible facets. When I have any questions, I have my boys here who can explain everything to me.