Dutch Duo Interview part 2

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1321 votes: 2

09.10.2006

In part 2 of the interview with Dutch duo Roy Makaay and Mark
van Bommel, the players speak about the difference between the Bundesliga and the Primera Divsion in Spain, about life in Munich
and their friendship.

Interview with the „Dynamic Dutch Duo“, Part 2

fcbayern.de: You have both played football for Spanish clubs. Where do you see the differences between football in the Primera Division and the Bundesliga?
Van Bommel: "Both are big leagues. In Spain every team wants to play football. You have a bit more time. When it comes to training, each trainer has his own methods, it has nothing to do with the country you're playing in.“
Makaay: "Here in Germany there is more running around, all players are in top physical condition. In Spain they play a different type of football. There are more stars in the Spanish league, even at the smaller clubs. They tend to play more attacking football than in the Bundesliga. They seem to play with a “we’ve got nothing to lose” attitude.
Van Bommel: "The fans just wouldn’t accept it if their team played defensively when Barcelona, Real or the other big clubs came. They also like to push forward. A nil-nil draw doesn’t make the fans happy.“

fcbayern.de: How does the Bundesliga rate in Holland?
Makaay: "Very highly. I always used to watch the “Sportschau”
(sports round-up programme) at 6pm on a Saturday evening. Dutch footballers have always enjoyed playing in Germany and now even more Dutch internationals are moving to the Bundesliga. I think I was the first and now there is a whole troop of us.“
Van Bommel: "And now even ex-internationals (smiles).“

fcbayern.de: How do you like living in Germany?
Van Bommel: "I’ve only been here for a couple of weeks but I’ve already noticed that Germany is a footballing nation. The World Cup showed that too – a great atmosphere, everything perfectly organised, excellent stadiums. And when people here make an appointment, they arrive on time.“
Makaay: "In Spain you sometimes have to wait for half an hour. Also the German and Dutch mentalities have much in common. And lots of Dutch people speak German.“
Van Bommel: "In Holland we used to have just three television channels and then we got ten German ones as well. You watch German TV and automatically learn how to understand it and speak German. The languages are quite similar.“

fcbayern.de: So how long have you two been friends?
Makaay: "We played against each other at youth team level. He was at Sittard and I was with Arnheim. Mark won the league and I was leading goal-scorer. Then we played together in the Dutch Under-21 side and I was Mark’s captain (smiles). After that we met up again in the Dutch
B-team. Since then we have kept in regular contact with each other.“
Van Bommel: "I think that we’ve only played against each other once since our youth days. Roy moved to Spain relatively early on and when I started in Spain he was already playing at Bayern.“

fcbayern.de: In contrast to Roy you have spent most of your career to date in Holland. Why?
Van Bommel: "Well, I could have moved much earlier. But the package was never right and I didn’t receive the right offer until Barcelona came along. And now it’s pretty good at Bayern.“

fcbayern.de: How often have you had to listen to the classic jokes in Germany about the Dutch and their caravans?
Van Bommel: "Quite a few times. But honestly speaking, I’ve never been on holiday in a caravan before. What about you Roy?
Makaay: "Me neither. But after three years the jokes dry up.“
Van Bommel: "Audi hasn’t got any caravans in its range yet, has it? (smiles). Now that would be a good idea!“

Interview for fcbayern.de by: Dirk Hauser

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