A scorer of a career-best 15 goals for Augsburg last term, Ermedin Demirović should have even more to look forward to after securing a summer move to 2023/24 Bundesliga runners-up VfB Stuttgart. bundesliga.com caught up with the Bosnian striker ahead of the season-opening Supercup against double-winners Bayer Leverkusen...

bundesliga.com: How did you spend the summer break?

Ermedin Demirović: "Actually, I had a slightly shortened break. We still had two international matches with the national team, and after that, I spent a lot of time with my family. I was in Hamburg, where I’m originally from, and then I travelled a lot by car. I went on vacation briefly before joining the national team, so I actually spent a lot of time with my girlfriend; my fiancée, and my family."

bundesliga.com: Did you think a lot about football, or did you switch off?

Demirović: "Actually, after the national team, I thought a lot about football because things were really heating up. Transfers were happening, so football was always on my mind. Then there was also the European Championship, so there was little time to switch off, but I enjoyed it."

bundesliga.com: What were your first impressions of Japan, what particularly impressed or surprised you?

Demirović: "Yes, surprised. To be honest, the heat got to me a bit. I knew it was supposed to be hot here, but I didn’t expect it to be so warm. I found it extremely beautiful. I’d never flown thar far, I don’t think I’d ever been outside of Europe. It felt nice, it’s something special and I’ve already told my fiancée that this will probably be a travel destination for us someday. Sooner or later, we’ll have to come back and enjoy it a bit more. That’s why a lot here has really impressed me."

Watch: The best of Ermedin Demirović in the Bundesliga

bundesliga.com: How was the training camp out there?

Demirović: "I'd never had a training camp like that, outside of Austria and the surrounding area. I have played in Spain, where we had a training camp, which was also nice, but I never did something like Japan, where it’s not just about football. Even though football is, of course, the most important aspect. We learned a lot about the culture, and it’s just very different from what we know in Germany, and that made the training camp all the more enjoyable and special."

bundesliga.com: What about your first impressions of Stuttgart?

Demirović: "Extremely positive, extremely positive. I’ve had so many positive experiences already, it’s really amazing. You can see the power this club has; how many supporters, how many fans are behind it, and what that can do to a player. I’m here, and I’m extremely happy to be here, and I’ve really enjoyed the first few weeks. I was well received by the team, and now it’s just about adapting and adding my performance to make the team a little bit better."

bundesliga.com: How would you describe head coach Sebastian Hoeneß?

Demirović: "Extremely good. I’ve known him for a little longer now. I met him in Leipzig, and we had some exchanges after games when he was at Hoffenheim; I think you can see, no matter where he was, he made a significant impact on the club. I’ve told him several times after games last season that what he’s done with VfB is simply incredible. Ultimately, that was a decisive reason for me to say, okay, I have the opportunity to play for such a good coach. That’s why I’m excited. You can tell he wants to make everyone better, and I think he has improved a lot of people, as we’ve seen in recent years. That’s why I’m just happy to be here now and to work with him."

bundesliga.com: What are his footballing plans for the team?

Demirović: "I think we saw a lot of it last year. We play extremely good football, with a lot of ball possession, and a lot of calmness with the ball. We’ll try to implement that again this year, of course."

bundesliga.com: What were your reasons for choosing VfB?

Demirović: "I think it was the overall package, and everything that comes with it. I think I’ve had a good feeling with the fans, even though I wasn’t their player. Last season when we played in Stuttgart, I did an interview and received so much love, which just gave me a feeling that they will welcome you, and that they’re excited for you to come. Of course, the chance to play in the Champions League; you’re at a top club, you’re playing at a club with an enormous status, and that was obviously a reason for me to say I absolutely want to be here."

bundesliga.com: The Supercup against Leverkusen - just a warm-up game or more?

Demirović: "Much more than a pre-season game. It’s still kind of a final. You can win a title, and that would be a nice step to start the season with a win. That will be the goal, of course. We want to win the game. It’s much more for us, it’s much more than a preseason game. Definitely, because it’s about a title, and some might not see it as that important, but for me and I think for the whole team, and for the whole club, It’s the first title in a long time. We’ll give everything to win the game."

Watch: Demirović & Co. look ahead to kicking off the season in the Supercup

About the players

9

Ermedin

Demirović

VfB Stuttgart

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bundesliga.com: What was it like to play against VfB last season?

Demirović: "It wasn’t fun at all; it wasn’t fun at all. We were outplayed, as I said at the time, it was hard to get the ball, it was hard to create chances, it was extremely tough. For me, it was the hardest game. It happened twice, that’s why it wasn’t fun. I want it to continue like that this season; I don’t want people to have fun playing against us. That will be the goal, yes."

bundesliga.com: What can we realistically expect from VfB?

Demirović: "Yes, what can you expect? Of course, many players left the team after a successful season. Some new players are coming in now. It’s just about bringing the football back to the pitch and winning as many games as possible. It will probably be difficult to assume that we will say, we want to be runners-up; I would never say that and I don’t think that’s the club’s goal. We just want to play an extremely good season, and try to bring the performances back to the pitch with the new players, and with Europe on top of that. We just want to try to win as many games as possible - that will be the goal."

bundesliga.com: What personal goals have you set yourself?

Demirović: "Yes, I just want to help the team with the experience I’ve gained over the last few years. I try to bring my game to the pitch, and adapt it to VfB’s style of play - I just want to get better, and that’s why I came here. I want to try to help the team with my strengths, and have some really good games and a really good season again."

bundesliga.com: What does it mean to you to play in the UEFA Champions League next season?

Demirović: "What does it mean? I think every footballer, and everyone who starts playing football, even little kids who don’t even think about becoming professionals, know what the Champions League is. I think that I can fulfill a dream that I probably wouldn’t have thought possible a few years ago. That’s why I’m just extremely happy, and I’m really looking forward to it – to be able to play internationally with this club, and with the fans behind us."

bundesliga.com: Are there any championship favourites or surprise candidates?

Demirović: "I don’t even know if there will be surprise teams. I just think that many teams have shown in the last few games that they are capable, so I think the quality will be very high. All the teams, including those that have come up from the second division, won’t be easy opponents. I expect, as always, an exciting season, whether it’s about the top three places or the bottom three. I think the fans can look forward to the new season."

About the clubs

VfB Stuttgart

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