Luckily for the Mauves, the Danish striker is the opposite of the guy who cares about that sort of thing. “You criticize Kasper, he looks at you, shrugs his shoulders and says 'OK', laughs Brian Riemer to sum up the phlegm of his attacker. A mentality like his is crucial. It takes some of the pressure off his teammates’ shoulders.”
Hoodie on his back, chew in his mouth and chin pointed towards the ceiling, he didn't seem very stressed by the expectations placed on him. Does he really care? No way. All the feedback about him is positive. He is among the favorites of the club's employees. We confirm that his cold image on the pitch is the opposite of what he gives off on a daily basis. Dolberg lives in a bubble where only his family and the land matter. And this is all the more true in the month of May.
Can you describe the atmosphere in the Anderlecht locker room?
“We had a pretty normal week actually. We feel a certain form of excitement, because the end of the championship is approaching, but apart from that, the atmosphere is good.”
What do you need to do to get the title?
“Let's start by winning on Sunday, that's the priority for us. We don’t pay too much attention to the weeks that follow.”
That means winning away from home. What you haven't done yet…
“We have to bring the intensity we are capable of at home. The difference was made there. We already did it in the regular season. I don't think we are more careful because we approach games wanting to create chances. Our intention is never to be defensive.”
We don't talk about titles in the locker room.
So where is the difference?
“Our stadium gives us energy. When we play at our best, the intensity is very high. The difference is mental, which makes me say that I have no doubt that we will be able to reproduce our Lotto Park performance outside.”
The RSCA still invincible in its Park after its victory against Cercle de Bruges
Are you starting to do some math?
“No one does it in the locker room. I even think I wasn't aware of the Bruges result before facing Cercle last week (smile). When there is only one game left, we will think differently, but the whole team understands that our mentality is not to calculate. ”
Riemer has good news from the infirmary before going to the Union
Do you talk about titles in the locker room?
“Not really.”
So you are not preparing for the possible party…
“I didn’t receive an invitation card in any case. (laughs)”
You were champion with Ajax. What feeling did that give you?
“It’s a combination of a lot of emotions. The season is always long and to end it like this is just incredible.”
We may see you more demonstrative than usual even if you seem to be celebrating your goals more in recent months…
“I think it's more a question of timing, because I also did it at the start of the season. I don’t calculate too much, I let myself be carried away by the emotion of the moment.”
Do you consider yourself having the pressure of the one who must bring the title to Anderlecht?
(He thinks) “It’s not as binary. I have a lot of responsibilities but I'm not the only one. ”
Are you the one who can bring some calm to this teamperhaps by going back into the game a little?
“I've already played number 10. Maybe the option exists in Brian (Riemer's) head, but I can't decide.”
He said that the birth of your twins at the beginning of October had an impact on you, is that still the case?
“I was lucky with them. They are fine and honestly I sleep well.”
You have also been disturbed by a private concern.
“Which has nothing to do with my daughters and no longer has any impact.”
I finish matches exhausted, but I play 90 minutes at high intensity.
Brian Riemer told us he had a long discussion with you regarding your involvement in the matches. The effect is visible, but how did you experience this change?
“It was important that I adapted. I had good periods this season and others where I didn't play at my true level. My biggest point of improvement was intensity and therefore indirectly how to be more important in the game. I think I'm on the right track, I'm better physically than at the start of the season, I run more and that increases my impact on the game. I finish the matches drained, but I last 90 minutes playing at high intensity.”
However, we have the impression that Anderlecht currently does not have a game to highlight you, that you are often alone with two defenders on your back…
“It’s my job. (smile) I don't dream of playing matches where I only receive long balls with Burgess at my back, but when they come, I have to respond. I played in combination most of my career. I've learned to enjoy the more complicated matches where I have to do the dirty work. It was not pzas A Dreyer (18)!
“It doesn’t matter to me. There is no competition between us. I'm happy for Anders. It is very important to us. He has good statistics this season. And that’s saying something (laughs).”
Here's why Dreyer scores so easily
You gave him assists several times. Do you enjoy passing as much as scoring?
“It's not as satisfying as a goal, but it's also an aspect of the game that I enjoy.”
Are you satisfied with your statistics?
“I shouldn't sum my game up to that because I have improved in other areas but if I'm honest I would have liked to have been involved in more goals. ”
You sometimes seem far from a typical striker, in the sense that you are not obsessed with the goal and sometimes too altruistic…
“I always look forward to a victory, even if I don't score. I often talked about it to my coaches. I have this goalscoring mentality in me, but I have to be more selfish, think more about myself. I tend towards that over the years.”
I don't complain when I get hit. I give it to them too.
Is this also linked to your personality? Many people are surprised that you never get angry at the referee or at an opponent…
“My father always told me that you don't get anything by shouting at people. And I don’t think that helps on the field or in life.”
What about when you take a big hit from an opponent?
“I also hit them during the match. It's part of football. If someone hits me, I'll give it back. It goes both ways. I’m not saying you should stupidly attack a player and take a red card.”
Your coach is convinced that you will reach your best level next season. Do you agree ?
“It's my aim. I knew I would need time to adjust. It was easy here, but I see that I'm better than at the start of the season. I am convinced that this will continue next season. ”
Riemer on Dolberg: “You have not yet seen the extent of his qualities”
Do you ever talk between Danes about the idea of staying together in Brussels?
“Yes, it happens, but none of us know if it’s possible.”
Playing in the Champions League, in the event of a title, is a nice carrot…
“It would especially be great for the club. As a player, I consider it to be the best competition. Hearing the anthem at Lotto Park would be amazing.”
