Interview

Kevin Trapp on goalkeeping

Europa League final hero Kevin Trapp on the mindset that saved the day for Eintracht Frankfurt – and how maturity and motorbikes have kept him on the right track

INTERVIEW Joanna Kozak | PHOTOGRAPHY Fran Santiago

At the end everyone was running on fumes; there was a lot of cramp around. And then Rangers got this one last chance and I just saw that Ryan Kent was unmarked, and I thought, “I’ll just try and make myself as big as possible, so that I take up as much space as possible if he shoots.”

You need a little bit of luck, and you hope you get it of course, but Kristijan Jakić was there too, and he slid in. We just tried together because, obviously, if you concede the goal in the 119th minute then it’s done, game over. Then with penalties it comes down to instinct and I managed to do my bit by saving one. The tension in that situation, the nerves – when you know exactly what’s at stake – that’s not an easy thing to deal with mentally. So I want to pay a massive compliment to everyone who took one and everyone who contributed to us taking that trophy home.

Every day we’re under pressure to perform. Everyone wants to play well and train well. For me, it’s therefore extremely important to find a balance in my private life. I have to find things to think about that can distract me from the day-to-day stress, to know that I can learn about other things that occur in other areas of life. Like having my own business: it helped me, learning about how things work in the business area. How do you set up a company, what does it involve?

I also like riding motorbikes, which is dangerous but so are lots of things. You are on your own; nobody can bother you or call you. When the wind blows around your ears it is simply a great feeling. All these things are important for me to have fun; they help me, ultimately, to perform on the pitch. 

At the end everyone was running on fumes; there was a lot of cramp around. And then Rangers got this one last chance and I just saw that Ryan Kent was unmarked, and I thought, “I’ll just try and make myself as big as possible, so that I take up as much space as possible if he shoots.”

You need a little bit of luck, and you hope you get it of course, but Kristijan Jakić was there too, and he slid in. We just tried together because, obviously, if you concede the goal in the 119th minute then it’s done, game over. Then with penalties it comes down to instinct and I managed to do my bit by saving one. The tension in that situation, the nerves – when you know exactly what’s at stake – that’s not an easy thing to deal with mentally. So I want to pay a massive compliment to everyone who took one and everyone who contributed to us taking that trophy home.

Every day we’re under pressure to perform. Everyone wants to play well and train well. For me, it’s therefore extremely important to find a balance in my private life. I have to find things to think about that can distract me from the day-to-day stress, to know that I can learn about other things that occur in other areas of life. Like having my own business: it helped me, learning about how things work in the business area. How do you set up a company, what does it involve?

I also like riding motorbikes, which is dangerous but so are lots of things. You are on your own; nobody can bother you or call you. When the wind blows around your ears it is simply a great feeling. All these things are important for me to have fun; they help me, ultimately, to perform on the pitch. 

Read the full story
Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

At the end everyone was running on fumes; there was a lot of cramp around. And then Rangers got this one last chance and I just saw that Ryan Kent was unmarked, and I thought, “I’ll just try and make myself as big as possible, so that I take up as much space as possible if he shoots.”

You need a little bit of luck, and you hope you get it of course, but Kristijan Jakić was there too, and he slid in. We just tried together because, obviously, if you concede the goal in the 119th minute then it’s done, game over. Then with penalties it comes down to instinct and I managed to do my bit by saving one. The tension in that situation, the nerves – when you know exactly what’s at stake – that’s not an easy thing to deal with mentally. So I want to pay a massive compliment to everyone who took one and everyone who contributed to us taking that trophy home.

Every day we’re under pressure to perform. Everyone wants to play well and train well. For me, it’s therefore extremely important to find a balance in my private life. I have to find things to think about that can distract me from the day-to-day stress, to know that I can learn about other things that occur in other areas of life. Like having my own business: it helped me, learning about how things work in the business area. How do you set up a company, what does it involve?

I also like riding motorbikes, which is dangerous but so are lots of things. You are on your own; nobody can bother you or call you. When the wind blows around your ears it is simply a great feeling. All these things are important for me to have fun; they help me, ultimately, to perform on the pitch. 

I learned a lot at Paris. I played with Zlatan Ibrahimović there, who is a great personality; Thiago Silva was the captain; and Marquinhos, who is the captain there now – players who have achieved a lot.
By

I also speak five languages fluently (and a little Italian): German, French, English, Portuguese and Spanish. I was at Paris [Saint-Germain between 2015 and 2018], and elsewhere abroad, and I noticed how difficult it is to communicate if you don’t speak the language. I feel most integrated when I know I can have a chat with my fellow players. To start with [in Paris] it really wasn’t that easy, as there was a language problem. So I can empathise with the new players who come to Frankfurt and at the start don’t speak the language or know the culture. It helps me communicate better with the new players, though I can’t speak Croatian or Japanese yet… If I can help someone to settle and feel good here then I like that. Speaking different languages is fun, so I’m sure it’s something which helps us in the changing room.

There are various ways to be a leader. I’m not some sort of extrovert who approaches other players all the time. I want to lead by my performance on the pitch and to let them know that if there is a problem, I am always willing to help. That’s where the languages come in, of course, as it helps other players feel good. 

I learned a lot at Paris. I played with Zlatan Ibrahimović there, who is a great personality; Thiago Silva was the captain; and Marquinhos, who is the captain there now – players who have achieved a lot. I was able to learn from them and I try to pass this on to others now in Frankfurt. I want to contribute mentally, with my performance, my experience, my personality, which I think has developed. 

I love this club. I love Eintracht Frankfurt and the fans we have. When you win a competition with a club like this, it’s really special. To experience these things as a footballer and as a fan of the club, it’s beautiful and deserved. We’ve achieved an absolute high point in the history of the club, bringing a European trophy back after 42 years. The whole city stood still.

I’ve matured and gained so much experience. As a result, I’ve calmed down and I’m more relaxed. I’m still somebody who thinks about things but probably not as much as I used to. I’ve developed in this area, both on and off the pitch. The calmness and experience have changed me. You never stop learning of course but, ultimately, I’ve played lots of games now. That means I see certain things differently and perceive them differently, and can convey this calmness I have onto the pitch and pass it on to the rest of the team. 

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Interview

Kevin Trapp on goalkeeping

Europa League final hero Kevin Trapp on the mindset that saved the day for Eintracht Frankfurt – and how maturity and motorbikes have kept him on the right track

INTERVIEW Joanna Kozak | PHOTOGRAPHY Fran Santiago

At the end everyone was running on fumes; there was a lot of cramp around. And then Rangers got this one last chance and I just saw that Ryan Kent was unmarked, and I thought, “I’ll just try and make myself as big as possible, so that I take up as much space as possible if he shoots.”

You need a little bit of luck, and you hope you get it of course, but Kristijan Jakić was there too, and he slid in. We just tried together because, obviously, if you concede the goal in the 119th minute then it’s done, game over. Then with penalties it comes down to instinct and I managed to do my bit by saving one. The tension in that situation, the nerves – when you know exactly what’s at stake – that’s not an easy thing to deal with mentally. So I want to pay a massive compliment to everyone who took one and everyone who contributed to us taking that trophy home.

Every day we’re under pressure to perform. Everyone wants to play well and train well. For me, it’s therefore extremely important to find a balance in my private life. I have to find things to think about that can distract me from the day-to-day stress, to know that I can learn about other things that occur in other areas of life. Like having my own business: it helped me, learning about how things work in the business area. How do you set up a company, what does it involve?

I also like riding motorbikes, which is dangerous but so are lots of things. You are on your own; nobody can bother you or call you. When the wind blows around your ears it is simply a great feeling. All these things are important for me to have fun; they help me, ultimately, to perform on the pitch. 

Read the full story
Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!
I learned a lot at Paris. I played with Zlatan Ibrahimović there, who is a great personality; Thiago Silva was the captain; and Marquinhos, who is the captain there now – players who have achieved a lot.
By

I also speak five languages fluently (and a little Italian): German, French, English, Portuguese and Spanish. I was at Paris [Saint-Germain between 2015 and 2018], and elsewhere abroad, and I noticed how difficult it is to communicate if you don’t speak the language. I feel most integrated when I know I can have a chat with my fellow players. To start with [in Paris] it really wasn’t that easy, as there was a language problem. So I can empathise with the new players who come to Frankfurt and at the start don’t speak the language or know the culture. It helps me communicate better with the new players, though I can’t speak Croatian or Japanese yet… If I can help someone to settle and feel good here then I like that. Speaking different languages is fun, so I’m sure it’s something which helps us in the changing room.

There are various ways to be a leader. I’m not some sort of extrovert who approaches other players all the time. I want to lead by my performance on the pitch and to let them know that if there is a problem, I am always willing to help. That’s where the languages come in, of course, as it helps other players feel good. 

I learned a lot at Paris. I played with Zlatan Ibrahimović there, who is a great personality; Thiago Silva was the captain; and Marquinhos, who is the captain there now – players who have achieved a lot. I was able to learn from them and I try to pass this on to others now in Frankfurt. I want to contribute mentally, with my performance, my experience, my personality, which I think has developed. 

I love this club. I love Eintracht Frankfurt and the fans we have. When you win a competition with a club like this, it’s really special. To experience these things as a footballer and as a fan of the club, it’s beautiful and deserved. We’ve achieved an absolute high point in the history of the club, bringing a European trophy back after 42 years. The whole city stood still.

I’ve matured and gained so much experience. As a result, I’ve calmed down and I’m more relaxed. I’m still somebody who thinks about things but probably not as much as I used to. I’ve developed in this area, both on and off the pitch. The calmness and experience have changed me. You never stop learning of course but, ultimately, I’ve played lots of games now. That means I see certain things differently and perceive them differently, and can convey this calmness I have onto the pitch and pass it on to the rest of the team. 

Interview

Kevin Trapp on goalkeeping

Europa League final hero Kevin Trapp on the mindset that saved the day for Eintracht Frankfurt – and how maturity and motorbikes have kept him on the right track

INTERVIEW Joanna Kozak | PHOTOGRAPHY Fran Santiago

At the end everyone was running on fumes; there was a lot of cramp around. And then Rangers got this one last chance and I just saw that Ryan Kent was unmarked, and I thought, “I’ll just try and make myself as big as possible, so that I take up as much space as possible if he shoots.”

You need a little bit of luck, and you hope you get it of course, but Kristijan Jakić was there too, and he slid in. We just tried together because, obviously, if you concede the goal in the 119th minute then it’s done, game over. Then with penalties it comes down to instinct and I managed to do my bit by saving one. The tension in that situation, the nerves – when you know exactly what’s at stake – that’s not an easy thing to deal with mentally. So I want to pay a massive compliment to everyone who took one and everyone who contributed to us taking that trophy home.

Every day we’re under pressure to perform. Everyone wants to play well and train well. For me, it’s therefore extremely important to find a balance in my private life. I have to find things to think about that can distract me from the day-to-day stress, to know that I can learn about other things that occur in other areas of life. Like having my own business: it helped me, learning about how things work in the business area. How do you set up a company, what does it involve?

I also like riding motorbikes, which is dangerous but so are lots of things. You are on your own; nobody can bother you or call you. When the wind blows around your ears it is simply a great feeling. All these things are important for me to have fun; they help me, ultimately, to perform on the pitch. 

At the end everyone was running on fumes; there was a lot of cramp around. And then Rangers got this one last chance and I just saw that Ryan Kent was unmarked, and I thought, “I’ll just try and make myself as big as possible, so that I take up as much space as possible if he shoots.”

You need a little bit of luck, and you hope you get it of course, but Kristijan Jakić was there too, and he slid in. We just tried together because, obviously, if you concede the goal in the 119th minute then it’s done, game over. Then with penalties it comes down to instinct and I managed to do my bit by saving one. The tension in that situation, the nerves – when you know exactly what’s at stake – that’s not an easy thing to deal with mentally. So I want to pay a massive compliment to everyone who took one and everyone who contributed to us taking that trophy home.

Every day we’re under pressure to perform. Everyone wants to play well and train well. For me, it’s therefore extremely important to find a balance in my private life. I have to find things to think about that can distract me from the day-to-day stress, to know that I can learn about other things that occur in other areas of life. Like having my own business: it helped me, learning about how things work in the business area. How do you set up a company, what does it involve?

I also like riding motorbikes, which is dangerous but so are lots of things. You are on your own; nobody can bother you or call you. When the wind blows around your ears it is simply a great feeling. All these things are important for me to have fun; they help me, ultimately, to perform on the pitch. 

At the end everyone was running on fumes; there was a lot of cramp around. And then Rangers got this one last chance and I just saw that Ryan Kent was unmarked, and I thought, “I’ll just try and make myself as big as possible, so that I take up as much space as possible if he shoots.”

You need a little bit of luck, and you hope you get it of course, but Kristijan Jakić was there too, and he slid in. We just tried together because, obviously, if you concede the goal in the 119th minute then it’s done, game over. Then with penalties it comes down to instinct and I managed to do my bit by saving one. The tension in that situation, the nerves – when you know exactly what’s at stake – that’s not an easy thing to deal with mentally. So I want to pay a massive compliment to everyone who took one and everyone who contributed to us taking that trophy home.

Every day we’re under pressure to perform. Everyone wants to play well and train well. For me, it’s therefore extremely important to find a balance in my private life. I have to find things to think about that can distract me from the day-to-day stress, to know that I can learn about other things that occur in other areas of life. Like having my own business: it helped me, learning about how things work in the business area. How do you set up a company, what does it involve?

I also like riding motorbikes, which is dangerous but so are lots of things. You are on your own; nobody can bother you or call you. When the wind blows around your ears it is simply a great feeling. All these things are important for me to have fun; they help me, ultimately, to perform on the pitch. 

Read the full story
Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

At the end everyone was running on fumes; there was a lot of cramp around. And then Rangers got this one last chance and I just saw that Ryan Kent was unmarked, and I thought, “I’ll just try and make myself as big as possible, so that I take up as much space as possible if he shoots.”

You need a little bit of luck, and you hope you get it of course, but Kristijan Jakić was there too, and he slid in. We just tried together because, obviously, if you concede the goal in the 119th minute then it’s done, game over. Then with penalties it comes down to instinct and I managed to do my bit by saving one. The tension in that situation, the nerves – when you know exactly what’s at stake – that’s not an easy thing to deal with mentally. So I want to pay a massive compliment to everyone who took one and everyone who contributed to us taking that trophy home.

Every day we’re under pressure to perform. Everyone wants to play well and train well. For me, it’s therefore extremely important to find a balance in my private life. I have to find things to think about that can distract me from the day-to-day stress, to know that I can learn about other things that occur in other areas of life. Like having my own business: it helped me, learning about how things work in the business area. How do you set up a company, what does it involve?

I also like riding motorbikes, which is dangerous but so are lots of things. You are on your own; nobody can bother you or call you. When the wind blows around your ears it is simply a great feeling. All these things are important for me to have fun; they help me, ultimately, to perform on the pitch. 

I learned a lot at Paris. I played with Zlatan Ibrahimović there, who is a great personality; Thiago Silva was the captain; and Marquinhos, who is the captain there now – players who have achieved a lot.
By

I also speak five languages fluently (and a little Italian): German, French, English, Portuguese and Spanish. I was at Paris [Saint-Germain between 2015 and 2018], and elsewhere abroad, and I noticed how difficult it is to communicate if you don’t speak the language. I feel most integrated when I know I can have a chat with my fellow players. To start with [in Paris] it really wasn’t that easy, as there was a language problem. So I can empathise with the new players who come to Frankfurt and at the start don’t speak the language or know the culture. It helps me communicate better with the new players, though I can’t speak Croatian or Japanese yet… If I can help someone to settle and feel good here then I like that. Speaking different languages is fun, so I’m sure it’s something which helps us in the changing room.

There are various ways to be a leader. I’m not some sort of extrovert who approaches other players all the time. I want to lead by my performance on the pitch and to let them know that if there is a problem, I am always willing to help. That’s where the languages come in, of course, as it helps other players feel good. 

I learned a lot at Paris. I played with Zlatan Ibrahimović there, who is a great personality; Thiago Silva was the captain; and Marquinhos, who is the captain there now – players who have achieved a lot. I was able to learn from them and I try to pass this on to others now in Frankfurt. I want to contribute mentally, with my performance, my experience, my personality, which I think has developed. 

I love this club. I love Eintracht Frankfurt and the fans we have. When you win a competition with a club like this, it’s really special. To experience these things as a footballer and as a fan of the club, it’s beautiful and deserved. We’ve achieved an absolute high point in the history of the club, bringing a European trophy back after 42 years. The whole city stood still.

I’ve matured and gained so much experience. As a result, I’ve calmed down and I’m more relaxed. I’m still somebody who thinks about things but probably not as much as I used to. I’ve developed in this area, both on and off the pitch. The calmness and experience have changed me. You never stop learning of course but, ultimately, I’ve played lots of games now. That means I see certain things differently and perceive them differently, and can convey this calmness I have onto the pitch and pass it on to the rest of the team. 

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