VfL Wolfsburg - and Mattias Svanberg in particular - have fond memories of their recent matches against VfL Bochum. In this interview, the Sweden international discusses his first Bundesliga brace and his new role as a father.
Mattias Svanberg, in September you and your girlfriend Alice became parents. To what extent has your daughter changed your lives?
Mattias Svanberg: “She’s turned it on its head – but in the best way possible. I’m incredibly happy about our little family.”
Ellie is your first child. How did you prepare yourselves for this new chapter in your lives?
Mattias: “Team-mates, friends, parents – we received helpful tips from everyone. Before she was born we couldn’t really understand a lot of it, but now I know exactly what they meant (laughs).”
What are your duties?
Mattias: “I’m very privileged. My girlfriend takes care of the baby during the night and lets me sleep. She’s my superhero. During the day I help out as much as possible. I change nappies, play with Ellie and get her down for her naps. All of these little things are very special.”
After five Bundesliga games without a win, VfL Wolfsburg are now back in the groove. How important was the victory over Leipzig?
Mattias: “It was unbelievably important, especially psychologically. We proved to ourselves that we can beat one of the best teams in the Bundesliga – and we did so twice in a short period of time. Now we need to build on that, keep improving and, above all, believe in ourselves. That’s the most important thing.”
On Saturday, you face Bochum. Why do you think VfL will win again?
Mattias: “Because we know that we have a lot of quality in the team. It’ll be tough, no question – every game is in the Bundesliga. But if we go onto the pitch like we did against Leipzig, then our chances are good.”
Last season the Wolves beat Bochum 4-0 and 5-1. The away game was particularly memorable for you…
Mattias: “It certainly was. I scored my first brace for VfL Wolfsburg in Bochum. I know it was an extraordinary game – you can’t score two in every match – but that has to be the objective: to help the team with a goal, an assist or by blocking a shot.”
