Bensebaini: "Kovač like a father figure to us" | OneFootball

Ramy Bensebaini on life under Niko Kovač, Borussia Dortmund's goals for the rest of the season, Ramadan and more

Ramy Bensebaini spoke to bundesliga.com about how Borussia Dortmund hope to rejuvenate their season under new coach Niko Kovač, how he handles Ramadan as a professional footballer and more...

bundesliga.com: We should start by asking about your new coach. How have the past few weeks been under Niko Kovač?

Ramy Bensebaini: "It’s been good. We’re training well, and it’s a bit more intense than before. But as long as we’re getting results, it’s not a problem for us. He’s a good person, like a father figure to us. He jokes around with everyone, but on the pitch he’s serious and tough. I think that’s what we need right now, and so far, everything is going well."

bundesliga.com: What are the biggest changes that Kovač has made?

Bensebaini: "I think we’re focusing more on physical strength. We’re training harder, and he wants us to press as high up the pitch as possible and recover the ball quickly when we lose it. Everyone has to work for each other and for the team."

Bensebaini has made 37 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund. (Leon Kuegeler)

bundesliga.com: The 6-0 win over Union Berlin in Dortmund last weekend was impressive. How did you find that match?

Bensebaini: "It was a great victory for us. We prepared very thoroughly. We knew Union Berlin were strong defensively, and they’re not an easy team to play against. We managed to score when we could, and we’re happy with the result. I was also happy to be back after missing two matches. That felt nice, and it ended with a great victory, so I’m very pleased."

bundesliga.com: A big win like that must lift the team?

Bensebaini: "Yes. It helps with the day-to-day atmosphere. Training is more enjoyable after a win. It’s always better to come to training after a victory than after a loss."

bundesliga.com: As a defender, we guess keeping a clean sheet was also important?

Bensebaini: "Yes. We had been conceding a lot of goals due to individual mistakes and lapses in concentration. We’ve been working on fixing those small details, and it’s been better in the last few matches, especially the last game. We also need to be more clinical in front of goal, which we managed to do."

bundesliga.com: How would you rate Dortmund's season so far?

Bensebaini: "It’s been a bit complicated. We started well but then had some problems and injuries. We also lost points in games we shouldn’t have, conceding goals in the last minute at times. We’re slowly getting back on track."

bundesliga.com: Can Dortmund still make the top four?

Bensebaini: "For sure. We need to win our games and hope other teams drop points. We’re working hard every day to win our matches, and we’ll see where we are at the end of the season."

bundesliga.com: What are Dortmund's chances in the UEFA Champions League, with Lille up next in the last 16?

Bensebaini: "Lille are a good team. I know them well - they have excellent players and are tough to play against. But we know our strengths in the Champions League. We have one game at home, one away, and we’ll prepare well."

bundesliga.com: Who has been your toughest opponent so far in football?

Bensebaini: "Leroy Sané. He’s very technical, fast, and unpredictable. It’s tough to defend against him. He’s one of those players."

bundesliga.com: That's enough about football for now. What are you like off the pitch?

Bensebaini: "I’m not someone who goes out much. I like to stay at home. I play PlayStation every night with a group of friends. Apart from that, I just like to relax at home."

bundesliga.com: Are you a competitive gamer?

Bensebaini: "Yes, I always want to win, even in small games. When I have friends over, I always want to come out on top, even in card games like UNO. I’ve always been this way. Sometimes after training, we stay a bit longer for a shooting challenge, and that’s also something I like to win. It’s just my mentality."

bundesliga.com: We are entering the Muslim holy month of Ramadan - is it a challenge to observe that while playing professional football?

Bensebaini: "The first few days can be a bit tough, but after that, it’s fine. It’s something personal that I want to do, and I’ve learned to manage it. Everybody manages differently, but for me it’s not a problem. I can train and observe Ramadan without any issues."

bundesliga.com: Looking further ahead, the Africa Cup of Nations will be contested again at the end of the year. Can Algeria win it again as you did in 2019?

Bensebaini: "Of course, that’s always possible. In 2019, no one believed we could win, but we did. We have the players, the staff, and the conditions to do it again. Playing in Morocco is similar to Algeria in terms of climate and pitches, so it’s achievable. It won’t be easy, but we can do it."

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