Benjamin Šeško on his title dreams, partnering Openda and NBA allegiances
The striker was in confident mood as he gave an interview to bundesliga.com in which he outlined his ambitions for the season and spoke about the mood in Leipzig after ending Bayer Leverkusen's long unbeaten run.
bundesliga.com: Leipzig have enjoyed a great start to the season with two wins out of two. What are your aims for the new Bundesliga campaign?
Benjamin Šeško: "Trying to be first, of course, is our goal. We want to win the league. It would be a tough achievement, but we believe we can do it. We also want to go as far as possible in the Champions League and of course to try to win the DFB Cup again."
bundesliga.com: How proud are you to have been part of the team to end Bayer Leverkusen's 35-match unbeaten Bundesliga run with your 3-2 win in Leverkusen?
Šeško: "It was actually an amazing feeling after the last whistle from the referee. It felt like winning a major tournament. We know what we achieved that night was unbelievable. We showed that we can do it and that we have the quality to beat a sensational team like that. I think this match showed we can really aim as high as possible this season."
Watch: Bayer Leverkusen 2-3 RB Leipzig - highlights
bundesliga.com: What makes Leipzig so strong right now?
Šeško: “I would say we are more connected. Not many players changed over the summer, and I would say that’s the number one thing that makes us stronger. We really want to achieve as much as possible, and I think this team can deliver."
bundesliga.com: Leipzig got quite a tough Champions League draw - how far do you think you can go in that?
Šeško: “We're facing some big names and big clubs. It’s going to be tough, but if we do do what we can do – fully preparing and focusing on every match, we can definitely make it through the league phase. It’s going to be tough, but I’m sure we can do it.”
Watch: All of Šeško's Bundesliga goals
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bundesliga.com: You scored 14 goals last season, which was a very good output. How many do you have your sights on this time around?
Šeško: “It’s my aim just to be better than last season. I think every striker wants to keep improving. I’m working on that. I’m going to have more playing time, so there will be more time for goals too."
bundesliga.com: The September international break went very well for you with a hat-trick against Kazakhstan and goal against Austria. What's the reason for such explosive goalscoring form?
Šeško: "It’s my job to do that. I like the feeling when I score, also as it helps the team, of course. It doesn’t matter if it’s for club or country, it always feels great to make others feel happy, as well as myself. For me, it’s just important to keep going that way. I will try to score as many goals as possible.”
bundesliga.com: You are part of a frightening strike partnership too with Loïs Openda. What can the pair of you achieve together?
Šeško: “I think we'll get even stronger, because we’ve already played a long time together now, so we are more connected. The good thing is that because we both have speed and quality on the ball, we are not selfish. We help one another, and that’s what also makes us so effective. We also have players behind who can play us in. I'm just looking forward to lots of matches with him, along with my other teammates. I think it’s going to be amazing.”
bundesliga.com: This is your second season in the Bundesliga - what is your best moment in the league so far?
Šeško: "Definitely my first two goals against Union Berlin [in September 2023]. They kind of showed the Bundesliga that I’d arrived. It was a really amazing match, and I'll never forget it. To score two goals like that was really nice - especially as they were my first two in the Bundesliga. The assist from Dani Olmo for the second was brilliant too. It's a really nice memory.”
bundesliga.com: Your rise in football has seemingly been smooth, but have there been some tough moments along the way?
Šeško: "Yes, I think the toughest came when I was playing at Salzburg. I should have been the first-choice striker there, and then all of a sudden, I voiced my opinion about something that didn't go down well. I was young, of course. Then all of a sudden, I wasn't even on the bench, I was watching from the stands. I had to fight my way back to even be in the squad and then to get in the first XI. You could say it was the worst moment, but it made me much tougher and taught me how to act in such situations. It was a good lesson.”
bundesliga.com: What would you like to have done if you hadn't become a professional footballer?
Šeško: “I would have loved to play basketball. I’m tall, but I’m not that tall for basketball. I have some skills though. I like to play basketball a lot. I don't really get time these days, as I have to focus on football. I definitely would have liked to play basketball though.”
bundesliga.com: What's your favourite basketball team?
Šeško: “It has to be the Dallas Mavericks, of course. Luka Dončić plays there – our Slovenian hero."
bundesliga.com: Will you be Leipzig's Slovenian hero when they play Union Berlin on Matchday 3?
Šeško: "I want to just to keep doing what I’m doing. It’s going to be a hard game - the kind you have to win to go as high as possible in the table. We know we will have to fight.”
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