Courted Asllani: "It said something about 'Werder Poker'"
Fisnik Asllani, one of the outstanding second-division strikers, is likely to storm the Bundesliga next season. But where? On "kicker meets DAZN," the 22-year-old describes the competition for him from his perspective.
Had the "best time of my life" in Elversberg: Fisnik Asllani. IMAGO/Steinsiek.ch
For Fisnik Asllani, it was a strange relegation – and a strange situation. On the one hand, there was deep sadness because Elversberg's goal-getter had dramatically missed out on promotion with the Saarlanders after finishing third in a remarkable second-division season. On the other hand, the 22-year-old was aware, at least in the back of his mind, of the relatively safe option of returning to his original club, TSG Hoffenheim, in the Bundesliga. Asllani's personal ascent will not be shaken.
Because 18 second-division goals and a 19th in the relegation match against Heidenheim, which he pointed out to podcast hosts Mario Krischel and Niklas Baumgart in the new interview episode of "kicker meets DAZN," naturally arouse interest, the Kosovar international may have other options open to him.
A footballer cannot avoid the headlinesAsllani was just hanging out with the national team when he appeared flattered by all the headlines surrounding him ("Asllani here, Asllani there"): "It's obviously nice when your performance is recognized. That makes me proud, too, because that's what you wanted as a little boy."
Many protagonists claim not to read the press. Asllani, however, reveals that one inevitably "gets to hear a little bit of the rumors." In his case, even very directly: "My brother and sister send me articles or videos where people talk about me." Fisnik then reacts "really only with laughing emojis."
Fancy a man of the moment? Fisnik Asllani, Elversberg's outstanding attacker of the past second division season, is our guest on KMD. Our hosts Mario and Niklas learn that the 22-year-old, who will initially return to TSG Hoffenheim, hasn't fully considered his immediate future, but they ultimately coax an outstanding promise from him. Until then, the talk covers the importance of his parents, a career-threatening injury, and a very specific brand of football that Asllani's next employer will have to play – listen in!
Most recently, he was "lying in bed at the national team hotel" when his brother sent the next article. "It said something about 'Werder Poker' – but I didn't read it. Maybe it was better that way." If not, the next article is sure to come.
Where exactly he'll be headed from July onwards – whether back to Sinsheim, where his family lives, or somewhere else entirely – is something the two-footed "nine-and-a-half," as he calls himself, doesn't want to reveal yet. But he can't yet, because he still has two international matches with the national team, and a decision will be made after that.
On Friday, Kosovo faces Armenia, and on Monday, the Comoros – two friendlies. Incidentally, Asllani has yet to score his first international goal after five senior appearances, for which he actually got a kicker celebratory shout-out. Hear how that came about, why he and his parents decided against a move to FC Bayern Munich while he was playing for the U17s, and what footballing qualities his next employer must have – all this in the new episode of "kicker meets DAZN."
The podcast is available on the kicker website and apps, the DAZN Group portals and all common podcast platforms, including Spotify , Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Amazon Music , Deezer and Podimo .
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