Fuldas Ivankovic on his dream of professional football in Germany – in the DFB Cup?

Midfielder in an interview

Roko Ivankovic moved from Croatia to SG Barockstadt Fulda-Lehnerz in the Regionalliga Südwest last summer. The 26-year-old midfielder, who previously played in the second Croatian league and briefly at Berliner AK, needed a few months to gain a foothold in Fulda. After a difficult start, he fought his way through the reserve team into the first eleven and is now a regular there. With his club he is now facing the Hessen Cup final against third division team SV Wehen Wiesbaden. In an interview with Transfermarkt he looks back on his career and talks about his goals.

Transfer market: Mr. Ivankovic, you moved from Croatia to Fulda in the summer. How did this come about?

Roko Ivankovic: About my advisor Manfred Müller from Ulm. I was without a club and looking for a new challenge. Since I had already played in Germany before, I really liked the league and I think that my characteristics fit well into German football. I was also here in Fulda for an interview in the summer of 2024.

Transfer market: As a regular player in the second Croatian league in the regional league – what goals did you approach the second chapter in Germany, in the second half of the 2024/25 season you were active for the Berliner AK?

Ivankovic: As you said, this is my second chapter in German football. My goal is to develop further here and become a professional footballer – that is my greatest wish.

Transfer market: Speaking of Berlin. You were only there for six months in the Nordost team in the fourth highest division. Why was it over again after a few months?

Ivankovic: Unfortunately, we were relegated with BAK because there were a lot of problems within the club and we had a lot of injured players. Nevertheless, I really liked the league and the level, which was also reflected in my appearances. I played all the games under coach Volkan Uluç and scored a goal – in Jena, of all places, where he is currently the coach. In my opinion, the Regionalliga Nordost is very attractive because many traditional clubs are represented with many fans, which creates a special atmosphere. Nevertheless, I think that a slightly higher level of football is currently being played in the Regionalliga Südwest.

Transfer market: What happened to you after relegation?

Ivankovic: After my time in Berlin, I wanted to stay in Germany, but nothing concrete came of it, although there was interest. Due to the time pressure – as preparations had already started – I went back to Croatia and played another season in the second division.

Transfer market: Things turned out differently for you in Fulda in the first few months than you had hoped. By the end of October you had only played twice and had to get match practice in the reserve team in the sixth division. How did this come about?

Ivankovic: The start in Fulda wasn’t ideal, as you mentioned – only two appearances in the first 15 games. Of course it was unusual for me, but I never gave up. I wanted to prove myself and found my way through to the second team, where I played six games. That gave me stability and continuity – as they say: 90 minutes is 90 minutes.

Transfer market: When was the turning point?

Ivankovic: That was the round of 16 in the state cup against VfR Groß-Gerau. We won and I scored my first official goal for the baroque city of Fulda. After that everything went in a positive direction – I was able to assert myself and earned a place in the starting eleven. This can also be seen in our position in the table and in the fact that we have reached the final of the Hessen Cup, where a professional team awaits us: Wehen Wiesbaden.

Transfer market: What do you think was the reason for the difficult start?

Ivankovic: I can’t attribute it to a specific reason – it was part of adapting to a new environment. But I never doubted myself. I believed in myself, worked hard and put everything in God’s hands while always giving my maximum on the pitch.

Transfer market: From November onwards the tide has completely turned. They became regular players and the team also got better and better. How do you view the game of the year?

Ivankovic: After I established myself in the first team, things went up significantly for both me and the team. The team welcomed me very well because they know that I always give my all. Now we are facing the most important game of the season – the cup final. The final alone is a historic moment for the club, but I can promise that we will give everything to win the cup and qualify for the DFB Cup.

Transfer market: The SG is currently in a midfield position, but there is still a lot possible moving forward. What do you plan to do in the remaining games?

Ivankovic: Our goal for the remaining games is to get as many points as possible. At the same time, these games are ideal preparation for the final, as we play against strong opponents from the top third of the table. We have to go into every game with 100 percent effort.

Transfer market: Her coach is ex-profile Daniyel Cimen. What impression do you have of him, what can you specifically learn from him?

Ivankovic: As for our coach, he organized the team very well and created stability. I have improved a lot, especially in the tactical area, because he attaches great importance to it. We appear as a compact and well-structured team, with a lot of movement and mutual support. In the opposition half we then have the freedom to be creative and score goals.

Transfer market: Your contract expires in the summer. Have there already been any hints or discussions with the club and can you generally imagine staying in Fulda?

Ivankovic: Discussions with the club are continuing. The club made it clear that they would like to keep me. I feel very comfortable here and have settled in well, but my focus at the moment is entirely on the remaining games and the cup final.

Transfer market: They are in their prime football age. What general goals have you set for yourself?

Ivankovic: I turned 26 in February and feel very good physically. I am convinced that I still have a lot of development potential to achieve my goal of becoming a professional footballer in Germany.

Transfer market: You played twice for the U19 national team in your home country. What memories do you have of it?

Ivankovic: These are some of my fondest memories. Representing your country is an indescribable feeling. These appearances were a reward for a very good season in the first Croatian junior league. You never know, maybe an opportunity like this will arise again.

Transfer market: You have played 143 matches in Croatia’s second division and have so far been unable to play in the upper house. Is this still a project or are you focusing on Germany, for example?

Ivankovic: I made a lot of appearances in the second Croatian league at a young age. I’ve narrowly missed the first Croatian league so far, which gives me extra motivation to play there one day. At the same time, I would like to develop further here in Germany, as my style of play – as a box-to-box player with runs from the second row – fits very well into German football.

Transfer market: How would you describe football in Croatia and how important was it for your development?

Ivankovic: Football in Croatia is very respected and well developed, which is also reflected in the success of the national team. The work is done very well, the only downside in my opinion is the infrastructure. There I took my first steps that shaped me into the player I am today.

Transfer market: What do you do when you’re not on the soccer field?

Ivankovic: In my free time I like to spend time with friends, discover new places and sights in Germany and also travel to Croatia to spend time with my family.

Transfer market: We would like to thank you very much for the interview and wish you all the best for the future.

Interview by Sven Bauer (Lapdog)