Soccer: German’s A-League surprise

Alex Baumjohann admits that when he was first approached to play in Australia, he had the same ideas of many foreign players

Alex Baumjohann has found playing in the A-League ‘different and fun’ Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Alex Baumjohann admits when he was approached to play in Australia he had the same preconceived ideas many foreign players who came here before him had about what to expect in the A-League.

His was a collection of the usual misconceptions — it’s a league built around physical strength and toughness and the contest for possession is more like “fighting for the ball”.

But, the Western Sydney Wanderers’ German import now has a totally different view of Australian soccer’s premier competition, describing it as “different and fun”.

A class act on and off the field, Baumjohann says, aside from the Wanderers’ lack of results, he is enjoying his time in Sydney and playing in a league that is much better than it is given credit for.

“Before I came here, I expected a little different,” Baumjohann told The Australian yesterday.

“I thought it was going to be more physical, maybe more like England. But, it is not like this. The standard is good … yes, it is different, but it is fun.

“It was a little difficult early because I came when the rest of the players had already been eight weeks in pre-season.

“Adjusting on the field was not difficult but the other things like the hard grounds, the weather and the time differences between Perth and Wellington gave me some problems.

“The hard pitches, especially, I found difficult. I never played on pitches like this and I had pain with my Achilles.”

Given his credentials as someone who spent a dozen years playing in Germany with clubs such as Borussia Monchengladbach, Shalke, Bayern Munich, Kaiserslautern and Hertha Berlin, it came as no surprise the 32-year-old didn’t take long to find his feet here.

He quickly established himself as a standout among the foreign legion with his skill, vision and sublime passing, even if the Wanderers struggled for results.

Until an injury in January that sidelined him for six weeks, he was among the leaders in statistics such as balls into the box, passing accuracy and assists.

Baumjohann believes he could have given a lot more had he not had that enforced break.

“You can always do better. I got injured in January at a time when I was, with some other players, on the top for winning the award for best player of the league,” he says.

“I hurt my tendon and it took me time to get back and it is always hard to catch up again.

“What hurt the most was that while I was out the team was not doing so well and by the time I got back the season was almost over because we had no chance to qualify for the playoffs.”

Two games into his comeback, Baumjohann suffered another setback when he was surprisingly dumped from the squad before a game against Brisbane Roar after Wanderers coach Markus Babbel said he was unhappy with the German’s effort at training.

Baumjohann played down the situation yesterday.

“The coach decides at the end of the day, so you have to accept this,” he says.

“I told him ‘OK, I don’t agree with this’ but I am a professional and I will accept the decision and I will try and work even harder to get another chance.

“One week later I was back in the squad and my performances are good, so hopefully I will start on Saturday [against Newcastle].”

As for his future, Baumjohann is uncertain what will happen next.

He signed a one-year deal with the Wanderers but the club has yet to open negotiations for a new deal, with reports suggesting Babbel has his eyes on two new German imports.

“What happens next season, I still don’t know,” he said.

“In Australia, it works a little bit different. In Europe decisions are made much earlier. I can only do things that are in my hands and give my best every day in training and the games.”

Baumjohann’s agent, Jurgen Milewski, is expected in Sydney soon to discuss his client’s future with Wanderers officials.