Alexander Djiku, here struggling with the Messin Vagner. – JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN / AFP
- He has become one of the most regular defenders in Ligue 1: Alexander Djiku has asserted himself this season in Strasbourg.
- The Ghanaian international is back after a month and a half of absence, he should play in Nîmes on Sunday, where Racing can almost confirm his maintenance.
- And after ? “Yes, I will still be in Racing next season. I answer you without hesitation. I am ambitious in an ambitious club. I want to enjoy the European Cup in the medium term and I think I can achieve it with the club, ”he says.
Without him, Racing is not the same. For his second season in Alsace, Alexander Djiku has become essential in central defense. One number sums it up: nine, as the number of times his team have not conceded a goal since August. All nine times, the 26-year-old Ghana international was on the pitch. He should just find him on Sunday in Nîmes, a month and a half after coming out on injury against Monaco.
It’s been over a month since you last played, have you fully recovered from your right adductor injury?
It is much better, yes. I had a good week of training. I resumed with the group yesterday and I should now be available for this weekend and the match in Nîmes.
How did you experience this injury?
It was a big blow because I was in one of the best forms of my career. I felt really good physically and mentally, I took my responsibilities in the game… It cut me off in full swing. But hey, it’s football, I took my pain patiently.
Your coach said last December that you had “taken a step forward” this season. You confirm ?
He’s right, yes. My first year here, I discovered the environment, the teammates, the club… The team executives had already taken me aside to tell me to be a leader. The coach repeated it to me and it is close to my heart now. On and off the pitch.
Your first selections since October with Ghana, the country of your father, also weighed, right?
It is a great pride for me. The international level is making progress, that’s for sure. For example, you have to quickly adapt to new partners. I have played four games with the team so far.
Lille are challenging for the title this season, and it surely helps that their players are so strong in duels.
Their midfielder Benjamin André has won the most duels in the division, while their CB duo Sven Botman and José Fonte win the highest portion of duels they contest! 💪 pic.twitter.com/4JAowV9HYH
– SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) March 29, 2021
What is your style of play? You stand out in many stats, such as the number of interceptions (82, 2nd in Ligue 1) …
I like to anticipate what the opponent will do. I also try to relaunch as cleanly as possible and to exude serenity. I watch how Varane plays a lot, he inspires me.
On the networks, some nickname you “Van Djiku”, in reference to Virgil Van Dijk, the central defender of Liverpool …
(Laughs) He’s also a role model for what he’s been able to accomplish in two, three seasons. He went from anonymity, or almost, to the status of reference to his position.
You also seem very ambitious and do everything you can to succeed in your career, right?
Yes exactly. This season, I have made further progress in my nutrition by taking to see a specialist and have at least 4-5 good meals per week. I use cryotherapy quite a bit, 2 to 3 times a week, and it does me great good.
You are also a fan of the Wyscout application …
I discovered that at the club. On top, you type in a player’s name and you can see his last games, how he behaves, what calls he makes etc. I watch before each match which striker I’m going to fall against. I take ten minutes per player, just before the nap. When I go into the field, I know who I’m dealing with.
Coming back to RC Strasbourg, is this match in Nîmes and then against Nantes not the time to finally validate the maintenance in Ligue 1?
It will be played on these two matches. It would be nice to wrap it all up quickly and consider something else.
What is the place of Racing this season?
We have had a roller coaster season. With big performances, against Lille and Monaco, but also more disappointing matches.
When you arrived in Alsace in the summer of 2019, you surely did not expect to play the maintenance …
No, the club had qualified for the European Cup and had taken a step forward. Last year, we finished 10th but we were only 3 points away from playing Europa League games again… This season, we know that we had the quality to do better and we will do better next year.
Will it be with you?
Yes, I will still be in Racing next season. I answer you without hesitation. I am ambitious in an ambitious club. I want to taste the European Cup again in the medium term and I think I can achieve it with the club. An extension here? We haven’t spoken yet but I still have time by 2022.