By Liu Yang and Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Make it into the Champions League with Wolfsburg and reach the European Championships finals next summer. These are the lofty goals of Belgian international Koen Casteels.
The 26-year-old might be far from what you call one of football's glittering stars, but avoiding public spot-light didn't stop the reserved goalkeeper from slowly developing into one of Europe's best.
In an interview with Xinhua, Casteels spoke of Belgium's chances to reach the Euro final, his steady journey up to his clubs' No. 1, his idol Dutch legend Edwin van der Sar, and the pleasure he derives from keeping clean sheets.
"We have a good opportunity with a strong Belgian team to reach the final or the semifinals at least," the keeper said ahead of the league encounter against Bremen.
"A major tournament like the Euros is always something to look forward to. This time it might be a slightly stranger thing due to the COVID pandemic."
He called the chance to qualify for the Champions League an amazing thought as his side currently sits third in the German national league after 25 rounds of matches.
Casteels praised his team's well-oiled organization as the primary reason for success, only as a side effect mentioning his significant contribution. "I am also part of that because I think I saved a few difficult shots."
Understatement seems a characteristic feature in his career as he followed Van der Sar's performances for the Dutch national team and Manchester United.
"It's also my style not to deliver too much show and just play the game, avoid mistakes and be around for the team's benefit," he said. "That reflects my game very well."
Between January 16 and March 6, he didn't conceive a goal in 674 minutes and kept a clean sheet for 7 consecutive games. That put him the third in the German league's history after Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn (803/2002 - 2003) and Stuttgart's Timo Hildebrand (885/2003).
Twenty-one goals conceded make Wolfsburg's defense the league's best next to RB Leipzig. Opponents hardly find gaps in his side's defense to create goal opportunities.
"As a footballer, you shouldn't ever think you have reached the best level. There are always fine details to work on. When you think you have reached the best possible level with nothing to improve, it's time to leave football," the Wolfsburg keeper said.
Constantly having to fight for his way up might have enforced his efforts. "I never went to a club as the clear number 1."
In Hoffenheim, he joined the first team at the age of 18, performing well in an unfamiliar surrounding until suffering a leg fracture.
Taking a detour to Werder Bremen for six months, he again had to fight his way up to number 1. Joining Wolfsburg in 2015, Swiss international Diego Benaglio, some time on the bench and learning a lot, followed before he conquered the spot between the posts.
The Wolves are taking it calmly and don't talk about the Champions League despite an ominous 6-year-cycle. The side last qualified for the competition in 2015 and 2009.
"We have to prepare for games every third or fourth day. That will be a challenge we know about as we played in the Euro League last season," he summarized. Enditem
