After joining the club on loan from FC Copenhagen in the summer, Denis Vavro has blossomed into a key first-team player at VfL Wolfsburg. The Slovakian centre-back, who has played every minute for the Wolves since making his full debut against VfL Bochum back in October, sheds light on how his position has evolved, the structure of the team and VfL’s start to the second half of the campaign.
Denis Vavro, you’ve been in Wolfsburg six months now. How have you settled?
Denis Vavro: “The first few months weren’t exactly easy because many things were new to me, but after that – when I started to play – I felt good. My team-mates helped me a lot. I get on well with everyone, and there are obviously some I speak to a little more. Kamil [Grabara], for example, I’ve known for over three years. It’s not just one or two people who help me but the whole team, including the coach, staff and everyone at the club in general.”
You’ve played almost every minute alongside Konstantinos Koulierakis in central defence. How would you describe your partnership?
Denis: “I’m good friends with every player, not just with him, Kamil or Jakub [Kaminski]. At the end of the day, it’s the coach’s decision to play us together. We also talk a lot off the pitch about what has gone well and what hasn’t.”
You were not only voted Man of the Match against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend but were also named in the team of the week by Kicker magazine and Sportschau. How does that feel?
Denis: “First and foremost, I’m grateful to every fan who voted for me. Generally speaking, though, I have to say I don’t really pay much attention to the German media. It’s definitely a special thing for me and I want to continue where I left off in our last game. I want to help get the club into Europe.”
You scored two goals in December, against Dortmund in the league and Hoffenheim in the DFB Cup. Since then, you’ve been looking to shoot on a more regular basis. How would you describe your role at centre-back?
Denis: “I might be scoring more goals, but for me it’s more important to be solid defensively and keep clean sheets. I try to help out up front too when the team needs me, but my main job is in defence.”
You’ve come up against the first, second and third-placed sides in the division in recent games, picking up three points from four matches. What do you make of your start to the second half of the season?
Denis: “We started well and won back-to-back games at the start of the year. We fought for every ball against Bayern but still lost. We dropped two points against both Holstein Kiel and Eintracht Frankfurt, despite playing well for the most part. It was an even game against Leverkusen. We’re a strong team away and at home and want to get the three points.”
What are your goals for the game in Stuttgart?
Denis: “They’re a strong team. We need to be prepared, like we were against Leverkusen. We want to – and indeed have to – build on our performance against Leverkusen, then we’re always capable of scoring goals away from home.”
