Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha is starting to settle in and make a real impact at Signal Iduna Park. bundesliga.com talks to the 24-year-old about his form so far this campaign, working under Nuri Şahin and the team's objectives for the second half of the campaign...

bundesliga.com: After a slow start, you have started every single match since the start of the November. As such, many fans think you have really arrived here in your second season at Dortmund. Do you share that opinion?

Felix Nmecha: "I see myself as having been here from the get-go, from the first day I arrived. It's normal in your career to have high moments and low moments but I feel like I grew a lot last season, I learned a lot. I just try to give my best and improve every day, and I'm going to keep trying to do that, no matter how it goes."

bundesliga.com: What is the most important reason behind your recent good form?

Nmecha: "I think generally when you work hard and try to give everything and to keep improving, it pays off. I've just been consistent, tried to work hard every day, even in the beginning when I wasn't starting. When you get your chance, you get rhythm, which is always a good feeling. When you get match fitness, you don't need to think about your fitness as much, and that's also a good feeling, I would say."

bundesliga.com: There were some great highlights for you personally during the first half of this campaign. What is the first that comes to mind?

Nmecha: "I don't know if there's one specific one, although probably the Real Madrid game when I started playing more. Then to go and play for the national team before coming back and scoring was obviously really nice as well."

Nmecha (r.) battles for possession with Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior (r.). - IMAGO/Ruben Albarran

bundesliga.com: What influence has Nuri Şahin had on your development?

Nmecha: "I would say a big influence, because when you have that feeling of trust, that he trusts me to play in big games, and in important positions as well, it's definitely a good feeling. I'm the type of person who always wants to learn, and he’s a very tactical coach. I enjoy it, and I want to keep learning and improving."

bundesliga.com: Where do you still see potential for improvement? What are you currently working on?

Nmecha: "I try and grow every part of my game, especially as I'm in a slightly different position. I think I can still learn a lot about the role as I have a coach who played there, so I think I'll be able to receive a lot of knowledge. I just try and focus on building every part of my game, things I'm good at and the things I need to improve to try and have both."

bundesliga.com: As a team, you are not where you want to be in the Bundesliga right now. What can Dortmund achieve as a team in 2025?

Nmecha: "A lot is still possible, and even though we're not where we want to be, it's very close in terms of points. Our goal is still to compete at the top, see if we can get that consistency and start winning more away games. We can already see that if we had won a few more away games, then we would be a lot higher up the table, so hopefully we can make that happen."

Nmecha (l.) is becoming a key player under Nuri Şahin (r.). - IMAGO/Revierfoto

About the players

8

Felix Kalu

Nmecha

Borussia Dortmund

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bundesliga: You touched upon it there, but Dortmund's home and away form have been very different - you are yet to win on your travels in the Bundesliga this term. Do you have any reasons for that?

Nmecha: "To be honest, I can't think of a specific reason right now. There have been moments where we haven't really been switched on, or we've made easy mistakes for goals and the energy maybe wasn't the same as at home, where our supporters can make a difference. It's not something we need to dwell on, but rather learn from and move on."

bundesliga.com: How would you describe your relationship with the Dortmund fans? What is it like to play in front of the Yellow Wall? 

Nmecha: "It's a great feeling, in that stadium, at home, especially, but also with the support we get away. You feel together, you feel like they are there with you, and that’s always a good feeling as a player, it gives you extra energy. You just want to fight, you want to work for the team. It helps, it helps a lot."

bundesliga.com: Do you also feel the Yellow Wall during the game, or do you just concentrate on what is happening on the pitch?

Nmecha: "I'm mainly focused on the game. It is maybe after goals or when the ball is not in play that you notice it. I try to block everything out, but when you score and everyone is just shouting and screaming, it's a nice feeling."

bundesliga.com: Do you have a Christmas message for the Dortmund fans? 

Nmecha: "I wish all the Dortmund fans a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. We'll keep going, we’ll keep fighting together, and hopefully we can achieve a lot in the second half of the season. Take care."

About the clubs

Borussia Dortmund

SIGNAL IDUNA PARK