11 Questions for Andrés Andrade: From Baseball in Panama to Bundesliga Success

11 questions for Andrés Andrade: Baseball, Bobby Brown and the Bundesliga

14. March 2024 in ADMIRAL Bundesliga

In the regular season, Andrés Andrade was the player with the most ball actions (1,603). In an interview with bundesliga.at, the LASK defender answered “11 questions” about his home country of Panama, missing a goal in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga and why he has never played against Rapid before and the winner is.

1) Panama’s popular sport is baseball – would that have been a sport for you too, did you even play it?

As a child I tried baseball a few times and trained a little, but football is now very close to baseball in terms of popularity in Panama.

2) To what extent was it a goal of yours to play in Europe one day?

Even as a child, I dreamed of playing in Europe. I could also imagine playing in America, but the big goal was always Europe. I achieved this a long time ago now.

3) How did LASK, of all places, turn out?

I was playing in Mexico when the offer came from FC Juniors. From there I made it into the LASK first team. I feel very comfortable at the club, the atmosphere in the club is good and very professional. The way football is played also suits me and allows me to develop further as a person and footballer.

4) Do you know who was the only player from Panama in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga before you?

No I do not know that.

4a) It was Roberto “Bobby” Brown, who played for Austria Salzburg in 2004. With his only goal he is still the Panamanian top scorer in the Bundesliga. Isn’t it time to change that?

Ah, I already know Roberto Brown. I’ve spoken to him a few times. He is a legend in Panama and very well known. But I didn’t know that he once played in Austria. Of course it would be nice to score a goal, but first and foremost I want to help the team and play as much as possible.

5) There is something else you would probably like to change on Friday: Rapid is the only opponent in the Bundesliga against whom you have won (7 games, 2 draws, 5 defeats). Why Rapid of all things?

Rapid are a very strong opponent, especially when they play in their own stadium. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to win so far, but we have the next opportunity on Friday.

6) With Lukas Grgić you have a former LASK teammate at Rapid. What do you appreciate about him?

Lukas is a real fighter, but also a very nice person with a great character and a very professional player. I’m looking forward to us playing against each other.

7) Tobi Lawal is one of the players you played with at the OÖ Juniors. Was it clear that he would one day be number 1 at LASK and that you would play the Bundesliga together?

Tobias has always been a player who delivered top performances. He is a top athlete and a very good goalkeeper. We get along very well and have a good connection again, which makes a lot of things easier for me. The fact that we have played together before has a positive effect on the processes and communication.

8) What do you expect from the master group?

Of course the championship play-off will be very demanding. Now we need top performances week after week. We have to try to score important points in every game so that we can play internationally again next year.

9) You’ve been in Europe for six years, what do you miss most about your homeland?

What I miss most is my friends and family, but also the beach. The lifestyle in Europe is different than in my home country. Life here is more orderly, I would almost say quieter, than in Panama. The people there are more relaxed and cheerful, but nevertheless I feel very comfortable in Linz.

10) You also spent two years with Arminia Bielefeld in the German Bundesliga. Linz or Bielefeld – where is more going on?

With regard to the cities of Bielefeld and Linz, there is certainly more going on in Linz. For example, I really like going to the Danube, but of course there are many other things you can do here.

11) During the international break you will play with Panama in the USA for victory in the Nations League. How do you assess your chances?

We’ll face Mexico in the semi-finals. They have a good team and certainly a lot of fans who will be there. We expect a close game, I think the chances are 50:50. Nevertheless, we definitely want to make it to the final.

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2024-03-14 12:23:10
#questions #Andrés #Andrade #Baseball #Bobby #Brown #Bundesliga