“That makes me very happy and proud.”

sv98.de: Clemens, how good is your Spanish?

Clemens Riedel: „It’s getting better all the time (laughs). I’m diligently learning with a German-speaking Spanish teacher. We usually do it twice a week online. That helps me a lot, and I definitely want to keep at it next season. When you gradually gain the confidence to speak Spanish with the guys in the locker room, you get the hang of it pretty quickly.“

Looking back on last summer: What were the first few days and weeks like for you?

„It was a huge adjustment. Everything was new to me anyway: a new country, a new city, a new environment. For example, here at the club, I’ve joined an environment where the vast majority are Spanish. But I’m an open person. So I think I was able to integrate well from the start.“

Who were your closest contacts within the team, especially at the beginning?

„First and foremost, Charles Pickel, a Swiss-Congolese player who’s going to the World Cup with Congo this summer. I immediately clicked with him and was able to speak German with him all year. He joined Espanyol around the same time as me, which made it very convenient for both of us. But otherwise, Espanyol’s former long-time captain, Leandro Cabrera, really took us under his wing and always offered his help.“

Speaking of important people, your parents play a huge role in your life. What was their reaction when you told them you were going to Barcelona?

„Wow, Barcelona…?!“ That was their first reaction (laughs). When they heard I was going abroad, they were naturally surprised at first. But they immediately said they would support me and always stand by me – no matter where I end up. They really liked their first impressions of Barcelona. I have a very close relationship with my family anyway – my grandmother and my parents visited often last year. My parents come to see me every five to six weeks. And my mother, in particular, has fallen in love with Barcelona (grins).“

What’s it like for you to live in a metropolis like Barcelona? How comfortable do you feel there?

„I feel very comfortable. And I’m a guy who comes from a small town. Even Darmstadt always seemed like a bigger city to me (laughs). Barcelona is huge. You can find everything here, you can do everything. I haven’t seen all the corners of the city yet. But I’ve found a nice apartment in a good location near the beach. There are definitely worse cities you could end up in.“

Let’s talk about Espanyol Barcelona. Why does the club suit you so well?

„The playing style suits me very well, above all. Our structure and tactics, especially with the ball, are quite comparable to the football we played in Darmstadt under Florian Kohfeldt. Espanyol is also a club steeped in tradition with a large and loyal fan base. The atmosphere in and around the club is very family-like, just like I’m used to from Darmstadt. That’s why I feel very comfortable here.“

You’ve made a total of 21 appearances in La Liga and the Spanish Cup. How do you look back on the past season?

„I’m happy with how my first year at Espanyol went. If someone had told me before the season that it would go this well, I probably would have signed on the dotted line. Sure, there were periods last year when I didn’t play as much. But considering the competition for places among us centre-backs, that was certainly to be expected. Overall, I look back on the year with a very positive feeling. We had a fantastic first half of the season. At the beginning, when everything in Spain was very new to me, I had a few good games right away where I could prove myself. From winter onwards, we then had a very long dry spell in terms of results. That made it all the more satisfying that we were able to secure our survival in the final stages.“

You mentioned it: With the wins against Bilbao and Osasuna, you won two important matches just before the end of the season. And you played the full 90 minutes in both.

„There was definitely a lot of pressure in that situation – on me, on the team. There was a lot of tension. That’s why I’m relieved that I was able to start both of those crucial games and that we secured our place in La Liga as a team. It was very important for me to end my first season in La Liga on a high note.“

You had very experienced La Liga centre-backs competing for your position. How did you experience that competition?

„I experienced a very fair competition. We centre-backs all have a very good rapport. I was able to learn a lot from Leandro Cabrera, who has played well over 200 games for the club and in La Liga. The same goes for Fernando Calero, who was with the club for seven years and played over 180 games for Espanyol. But no matter who played, we supported each other in every game.“

How did you perceive the atmosphere at your stadium?

„At Espanyol Barcelona, ​​our stadium holds just under 38,000 fans. And I have to say: it’s a very good stadium with a great atmosphere. In Spain, what the team delivers on the pitch and how much effort they put in beforehand is often crucial. When things are going well or the game gets heated, everyone in the stadium is incredibly vocal.“

Aside from your home stadium: Which stadium in La Liga has impressed you the most?

„Definitely Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. I was just sitting on the bench there, admiring the stadium. It was breathtaking and a real ‚wow‘ moment in my career – even though I didn’t even play. But the atmosphere in Bilbao and Seville was also fantastic; those were all really cool experiences. Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium and FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou were also amazing.“ Although I couldn’t play against FC Barcelona due to a yellow card suspension, I supported the team from the stands with my parents.“

Change of subject. Because no interview with a former Darmstadt player is complete without talking about the 1898 team. How often are you still in Germany – and especially in Darmstadt?

„I’m actually back home during every international break. I really enjoy spending time with my family; as I said, we have a very close relationship. Incidentally, I’m sitting on their terrace while we’re on the phone. Last season, I also went to the Bölle stadium once and watched the 0-0 draw against Magdeburg. I received a very warm welcome from the fans, which I really appreciated. After the game, I was even allowed into the locker room and was happy to see all my former teammates again.“

What role do Darmstadt play in your life now?

„I try to watch as many Darmstadt games as possible – especially on away trips when we spend a lot of time in the hotel.“ Because our games with Espanyol are usually in the evening, I can always drop in at lunchtime and watch my friends play.“

During our winter training camp near Valencia, a few Darmstadt fans came to the stadium to support you at one of your away games in Levante. How does it feel when Darmstadt fans go to the stadium in Spain specifically to see you?

„That was a really nice feeling. Many of the fans who were there even wrote to me personally afterwards. That made me very happy. It means a lot to me that the SV 98 fans are still following me even after the transfer and even come to the stadium here because of me. That makes me very happy and proud. There was also a Darmstadt fan at our last home game: a little boy, to whom I then gave my jersey. That was really nice.“

What about your contacts in Darmstadt? Who are you still in contact with most often?

„Luckily, I still have a close relationship with many of the guys. Fynn Lakenmacher, in particular, has become a very close friend. Fynn visited me twice in Spain, for example. After the Magdeburg game, when I was in the locker room, I tried to speak Spanish with Sergio Lopez. But I still need to practice a bit (laughs). I’m definitely still in touch with a lot of the guys.“

What are your summer plans?

„I’m spending a few days at home. Since I come from a beautiful place like Barcelona, ​​I don’t really feel the urge to fly off on vacation. So I’m really happy to be home right now and spend a few days with my family. I’m also planning to go away with Fynn for a few days. But otherwise, nothing major is planned for now.“

Clemens, thank you very much for your time and the interview. We wish you continued success and all the best, both personally and professionally!