Dn the last run, Rani Khedira completed with all determination, although he was already suffering from cramps in his legs. From the center circle he ran to the outside line. Christopher Trimmel stood there and waited for his substitution. Khedira took off the yellow captain’s armband, which he had worn for more than 90 minutes, and handed it to Trimmel. He then trotted back into position to time the final seconds of Thursday night’s memorable European Cup game against Ajax Amsterdam (3-1).
The scene provides less information about Khedira’s actual role in the structure of 1. FC Union and more about how he interprets and lives it. The 29-year-old midfielder “is one of three captains,” says Union coach Urs Fischer. Strictly speaking, he is number two behind Christopher Trimmel and ahead of Sheraldo Becker, but because Trimmel is already 36 years old and has not played in every game since Croatian World Cup participant Josip Juranovic signed, the hierarchy is currently shifting. Khedira is wearing the armband more and more often, and the extent to which he identifies with her and the tasks involved was evident in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 against Ajax Amsterdam.
Khedira directed, organized and talked on the field wherever she could. It’s not easy to talk about the noise in the madhouse Alte Försterei, where the noise level can reach unimagined heights. In the numerous pressure phases of the Dutch, it was Khedira who repeatedly pointed out paths with his arms, gave instructions and selflessly ran into the rooms. For his teammates, the support and security radiated. “He lived up to his responsibility there, just like he does weekend after weekend,” said Fischer.
Placed in defensive midfield
For Union coaches, the motto “Khedira always plays”, freely adapted from Louis van Gaal, now applies, despite the heavy workload in three competitions. Union is still represented in the Europa League and the DFB Cup, in the Bundesliga the top game at FC Bayern is this Sunday (5.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on DAZN). The Berliners travel to the leaders of the table in third place, but have the same number of points as the Munich team. “The madness continues,” Fischer now repeats after almost every game, incredulous at his team’s winning streak.
Khedira has played an important part in these successes. He is placed in defensive midfield and has only missed two games in all competitions. Otherwise he was invariably in the starting XI, almost always for 90 minutes. If you will, Khedira is a typical Union player. One of those underestimated who have been written off elsewhere and who are now gathering in the Berlin district of Köpenick to rebel as part of a horde of rebels against the establishment. “Each of us submits to the big picture because we know that we’re not strong enough to survive against Ajax or other big opponents,” said Khedira after the win against Amsterdam. That also applies to him.
Trained at VfB Stuttgart, he was long considered the little brother of Sami Khedira, who had a world career in Madrid and Turin, while Rani was on the bench in the second division at RB Leipzig. He played more regularly in Augsburg, but he really found his place at 1. FC Union Berlin. There he developed into one of the most reliable sixes in the Bundesliga, without much notice outside of Berlin.
“If I look at the past World Cup teams, with N’golo Kanté in 2018 and now Enzo Fernández, you have two players who have balanced the team. This is often underestimated. My type of player is a bit under the radar because you look at it differently from the outside,” said Khedira in an interview with “Kicker”.
Experts, on the other hand, have long appreciated its qualities. Before the World Cup in Qatar even a nomination for the national team seemed possible. National coach Hansi Flick had put Khedira on an initial list of 44 players. In the end it didn’t work out with participation, but since then Khedira’s status has increased again. His contract expires in the summer and talks about an extension have already been held. Khedira describes Union as the “first point of contact”, he would like to stay and the club is also interested in continued employment.
Rani Khedira hardly shies away from a duel in midfield.
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Image: EPA
“We’re changing the squad, not necessarily the starting eleven,” says manager Oliver Ruhnert. In addition to his skills on the pitch, Khedira is also extremely important in the dressing room. He is the contact and helping hand for the numerous new players that Union brings in again and again. Just like he is for coach Urs Fischer. With or without a captain’s armband.
