Interview

Benes: "I definitely want to be a part of that".

In the training camp interview, Rothosen newcomer Laszlo Benes talks about his first HSV impressions in Styria, his time in Mönchengladbach including two loan stops and his special connection to Tim Walter.

If everything goes normally, he will be wearing the HSV jersey for the first time this afternoon: Laszlo Benes is just as eager as his teammates for the first test match of the current summer preparation. Against Hajduk Split (kick-off: 5.30 p.m. in Fürstenfeld, live and free of charge on HSVtv and YouTube), the 24-year-old Slovakian could then bring his versatile skillset, which he has already hinted at several times in the training sessions in Styria, onto the pitch for the first time in competitive practice. The interesting player profile was formed in his home country, in Hungary and in Mönchengladbach from 2016 to 2022. But the 7-time international also gained valuable experience on two six-month loan spells in Kiel and Augsburg. Laszlo "Laci" Benes spoke about his exciting career path, his first impressions of HSV, his second collaboration with Tim Walter and his ambitious goals in an in-depth training camp interview conducted between two training sessions at the team hotel "Das Sonnreich".

Laci, how do you perceive the first days here in the training camp?

The first impressions are very positive. I have already got to know the team a bit and want to continue using the time in the training camp for that. I like it very much, the boys are really great.

At Borussia Mönchengladbach, you played and trained at a very high level. What are your first sporting impressions at HSV?

The preparation has been really intense so far: we train really intensively, often twice a day. I haven't always experienced that in this form in the past. But we are only getting better as a result, so I assume that we will start the new season in top shape as a team.

Let's go back in time from the here and now: You moved to Mönchengladbach from Zilina in Slovakia as an 18-year-old after your first full men's season in the summer of 2016. What did this move mean to you and how big was the culture shock for you at the same time?

The move meant a lot to me at the time: it was a dream to switch to the Bundesliga, and then to a club that has big goals. Of course, the beginning wasn't easy because I couldn't speak German and my English wasn't good either. I was also very far away from my family. But in football you always make friends quickly through your teammates. I managed to do that.

What did you learn about yourself during this phase?

The bottom line is that I grew up. For the first time, I had to find my own way far away from home. My compatriot Igor Demo, who used to play for Borussia Mönchengladbach himself, accompanied me back then and was a great help to me in settling in.

You were under contract with the "Foals" for a total of six years and, with the exception of two six-month loan spells, you always played there. What do you take with you from your time on the Lower Rhine?

I learned an incredible amount as a footballer and as a person. I played for six years in a very well-managed club and can draw on the experience of 64 Bundesliga games and appearances in the Europa League and Champions League. It was a wonderful and instructive time. And now a new chapter begins for me at HSV.

Laszlo Benes has settled in well at HSV and wants to contribute his strengths in the coming season, especially at the eight position.

That you'll be working with Tim Walter again as head coach. You already worked with the coach at Holstein Kiel from January to June 2019. How do you remember that time?

That was only a short time, I didn't even do the winter preparation, for example. The most important thing for me back then was to play a lot. I succeeded in doing that. We had a good team in which I had a lot of fun playing football. I managed to score a lot of goals.

How do you see Tim Walter now at HSV compared to your time together at the Förde?

I think he is still the same Tim Walter as back then in Kiel. He has his own very clear idea of how his team should play football. And he's tough as nails when it comes to implementing it. He has proven that time and again.

In addition to the loan to Kiel, you also spent half a year with FC Augsburg in 2020/21. Why didn't you make a permanent commitment to the Fuggerstädter afterwards?

This loan was also good for me because I played a lot. That was also important for me personally because the European Championship was in the summer. I knew that I needed match practice so that I could take part in the European Championship. I succeeded in the end, even if it was only two appearances for a few minutes. But a permanent engagement in Augsburg was not planned. I still had a contract in Gladbach and wanted to establish myself there permanently.

After these varied years, you have now moved permanently to HSV. Was it important for you to find a new and, above all, permanent sporting home?

Yes, I wanted to find a club where I would have a permanent contract. On the one hand, a loan can be a win-win situation, but on the other hand, you always have to get used to a new environment in a very short time. No sooner have you done that than you have to go back. That's why I'm very happy that I've signed a long-term contract with HSV.

At HSV, you are supposed to boost the game from central midfield and take responsibility for standards. Does that suit your strengths and which position do you prefer to play in?

I prefer to play in the eight position. My strengths are standards and my left foot. I like to have the ball, look for the finish and play passes in depth.

You know Jonas Meffert from your time in Kiel, Ludovit Reis has Slovakian roots. The conditions in the centre of midfield couldn't be much better, could they?

It's always helpful if you already know players from the team. In Kiel, the interplay with "Meffo" already worked really well. With Ludo, I didn't even know that he has Slovakian roots. (laughs) I only realised that when we started talking in Slovakian. I'm looking forward to playing with both of them.

HSV has publicly communicated that it wants to move up. Does this mentality also suit you as a player?

Definitely! When I heard about HSV's interest, the relegation match against Hertha BSC was still pending. Then I was at the Volksparkstadion myself for the second leg and it was clear to me that I wanted to switch to this club regardless of the outcome of that game. Of course, there is only one goal for this season: promotion. I definitely want to be a part of that.