An interview with Andreas Ulmer, by Callum McFadden for WFi.
You have been with Red Bull Salzburg since 2009 and have won a number of honours including 12 league titles. What do you believe has been the key to the team’s success?
“In addition to a generally high quality in the team, over the years we have always managed to compensate for the many departures to some very large clubs with young talents with a good base of players.
In this mixture, we have remained hungry over the years, have rarely let up and wanted to constantly improve both individually and as a team. In combination with the perfect training conditions in Salzburg, we can work in a highly professional manner.”
What would you pick out as your personal highlights from your time at the club so far?
“That’s not easy to say, because there were so many highlights. The championship titles with Red Bull Salzburg are definitely part of that, without which we wouldn’t have made it onto the international stage.
“The appearances in the Champions League were very special, where we played games against Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid or Liverpool — against the best teams in the world.
“I also have very good memories of the away game at Ajax Amsterdam in the Europa League, which we won 3-0 in 2013/14. And then the 4-1 against Lazio Roma, where we were able to catch up the 2-4 from the game in Rome and thus got into the semi-finals of the Europa League in 2017/18.”
400 – Andreas #Ulmer makes his 400th appearance in the Austrian Bundesliga today. Additionally, Ulmer has now appeared in one more BL game than Austria’s footballer of the century Herbert Prohaska (399). Legends. #SCRRBS pic.twitter.com/Hw459ejKNX
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) March 5, 2023
You have represented the club in European football including the UEFA Champions League. What is it like to play in such an illustrious competition?
“We tried for a long time with Red Bull Salzburg to reach the Champions League, which we only managed to do after many years. It’s all the nicer when you’re in the ‘premier class’ competition and can measure yourself against the best clubs and players in Europe.
“These games are always an absolute highlight in the course of a season. It is all the more important to be able to motivate yourself for the Bundesliga and to perform there.”
You have also won individual honours including Austrian Bundesliga player of the year. How much do individual honours mean to you?
“Of course, an honour like this feels great and is confirmation of good performance and a strong season. But it is clear that this is only possible with a functioning team and that you function as a team.”
During your time at the club, you have worked with some top coaches including Marco Rose and Jesse Marsch. What were they like to work with?
“They were both great coaches and left their own mark. In general, I have had a lot of different coaches at Red Bull Salzburg and tried to take something away from everyone and learn from them. If you accept this challenge, you can also develop as a player.”
You have represented Austria on 31 occasions to date. What does representing your country mean to you?
“Playing for the Austrian national team is a really big honour for me and I’m very proud of those appearances.”
Last but not least, who would you pick out as the best players that you have played with and also your toughest opponents?
“A difficult question because we had great players with us in Sadio Mane, Dayot Upamecano and Erling Haaland.
“For me personally it was Jonathan Soriano who impressed me the most. Jonny had great technique, a lot of instinct and a great eye for goal. We are still in good contact today.
“There are a few opponents that come into question as well, because we’ve been there several times in the Champions League. Mo Salah, Leroy Sane and world champion Paulo Dybala were outstanding and a great challenge.”