Missed DFB chance 2014 “hurt” ex-HSV striker Lasogga

Keeps fit at VfB Lübeck

Pierre-Michel Lasogga (31) is currently keeping fit with leaders of the Regionalliga Nord, VfB Lübeck. In 2019, at the age of 27, the attacker moved from Hamburger SV to Al Arabi Sports Club in Qatar on a free transfer – also due to a lack of alternatives. “Honestly, there weren’t any attractive options in Europe. Of course, finances also played a role. Plus the thought of getting to know another culture,” Lasogga revealed in an interview “rbb24”.

With that change, the offensive man had once said goodbye to the European focus, which also brought him critical voices. “Everyone who knows me knows how much football means to me, knows about my passion for football. The move to Qatar hasn’t changed that. But in the second phase of a career you also have to think about your family and the future. In Qatar, the overall package was just right. In the end, probably everyone would have done it that way. And I would make the same decision again today,” said Lasogga.

All in all, the veteran played in the Qatar Stars League for three years, alongside Al-Arabi for Al-Khor. Lasogga has been without a club since July 2022 and is trying to find a connection. The right-footer experienced his most intensive period – “a very, very special time” – between 2013 and 2019 at HSV, for which he scored 49 times in 138 competitive games. “There were only ups and downs, never midfield banter where you could have taken a deep breath. It was always full throttle or no throttle. That shapes,” said Lasogga. “There were also many moments when I thought: I don’t want to be here right now. Because it was only on, on, on. But overall it was a great time. I’ve met a lot of great people, HSV has a huge appeal. Not only in Germany, but throughout Europe, maybe even worldwide.”

It was never enough for the former U21 clipper of the DFB to play for the senior national team. In spring 2014 he was given the opportunity by national coach Joachim Löw to present himself. As a 22-year-old newcomer, however, Lasogga suffered a thigh injury in the final training session and thus missed the friendly against Chile (1-0) on March 5, 2014. Lasogga was no longer able to prepare for the subsequent World Cup, which was crowned with winning the title recommend. A bitter message that made him create quite.

DFB nomination was a “very formative moment” for ex-HSV professional Lasogga

“That was a very formative moment in my career. I should play against Chile. Then it would have been up to me and my performance, also with regard to the World Cup in Brazil,” said Lasogga. “It hurt, I can be honest today. And then they become world champions. You never know what would have happened. But there was a chance. Nonetheless, I’ve learned to deal with it. There’s no point in crying after it for years. That’s football. There are ups and downs. It was both at the same time.”

Lasogga did not want to commit himself to how things will continue for him in the summer. But he is open to everything. He knows “what I can do and that serious football is still possible in the next few years. But I also know that many people have to see that I work first. Due to the time in Qatar, many no longer have me on their screens. That’s why it’s a really good story for me in Lübeck,” emphasized Lasogga, for whom “definitely” still “four years at a good level” are in the tank.

To home page