EXCLUSIVE: WhoScored Interviews Stefan Kießling

Bayer Leverkusen have been a big surprise this year in the Bundesliga. Who would have thought last summer that this young team would go on to all but secure a Champions League spot? And under the unusual managerial duo of Sascha Lewandowski and Sami Hyypia as well? Stefan Kiessling has contributed a great deal to his current side’s success. He’s the type of player (nearly) every manager wants. Although it’s not enough for Joegi Loew at the moment, that doesn’t seem to bother the affable Stefan and that’s part of the reason he’s Mr. Popular in Leverkusen. 29 games, 19 goals and 7 assists combined with a terrific level of effort means that Kiessling is well respected by all of those in the BayArena. Lanky, strong in the air and fair: that’s what makes Stefan Kiessling, but there’s more to him.

For anyone that has followed his career since his time at Nürnberg, it is clear that his technique and team play have improved dramatically. A complete player, a classic number 9 who can hold the ball up, lead the team and one who knows exactly where the goal is. Above all of that, he’s an honest and pleasant, young man. He spoke to WhoScored.com about his own game, the season he is having and the importance of statistical data in modern football.

Both Hyypia and Lewandowski are very young managers but have made an impressive start at Bayer Leverkusen. Do they have a different view of coaching to your previous coaches and how have they helped to develop your game since their appointment?

The approach is different simply because of the fact they work as a pair. They make the decisions together. Apart from that, it’s difficult to talk about differences or compare managers. Everyone has their own style, and Sascha Lewandowski and Sami Hyypia are no different. I’m just pleased that I’m in such good form and that’s down to the help of teammates as well as the work of the managers.

Your side are fighting for Champions League qualification this season. Does Schalke's progress in Europe's elite club competition in recent years give you confidence that Leverkusen can compete on the biggest stage?

No. Our performance is not based on the results of other clubs. We are responsible for what we achieve and our focus is solely on ourselves.

Are the management or players at the club interested in statistical performance analysis?

Naturally we too work with statistics in Leverkusen. Up to a certain point, statistics are useful and should be used. However, they don’t score goals or save penalties. Those things are always decided on the pitch.

According to WhoScored's statistical characteristics, your defensive contribution is extremely strong. How important do you feel it is nowadays for a striker to work on that side of his game, and is it something that you have developed in recent seasons?

Yes, I have done that. In modern football it’s near impossible to just be attacking. Defensive work begins in attack, and I’m also heavily involved in set pieces inside our own area as well.

The same stats also suggest that you have no discernible weaknesses. If there was an area of your game that you felt you needed to improve on, what would it be?

(Laughs) Those have got to be the best stats I’ve ever heard. There are no players without weaknesses. I work hard every day to improve myself, but I’d rather not say in which respects. If I did, then those stats would be something our future opponents might use… (laughs)

You've recaptured some of your best form in recent seasons, but the position of centre forward in the national side is one that has only really been shared between two players recently. How confident are you that if you keep scoring you can force your way into the squad for the 2014 World Cup?

Joachim Loew has recently stated that he hasn’t planned for me to be involved, so I’m not really thinking about it.

You've had the most shots in the German top-flight this season and won the most aerial duels. Do you feel that your aerial threat is your biggest asset or is there another part of your game that you feel is stronger?

I think that my aerial ability is a strength of mine, but definitely not the only one. I don’t score that many headed goals and I manage to do a couple of other things rather well. I think my type of game fits and is of value to the team. I think I’m a team player. Maybe that’s my biggest strength.

The long-standing formation used at Leverkusen means that you are the only central striker. Do you feel that this is the best-suited system to your playing style or would you enjoy having a partner up front?

A good player must be able to play and be effective in different formations. Our current formation is working out well for us, not just me. I have played with a traditional striker though, Patrick Helmes for example, and that worked out well too.

Who are the toughest defenders that you have come up against this season and which other players in your position do you particularly admire?

That’s difficult. Benfica’s defender Luisao was hard to play against. There are some great defenders in the Bundesliga as well, but I don’t want to pick out any in particular. I try not to admire any players, because if I ever came up against them that would be tricky.

Has the analysis of stats become more prominent in recent years and do you feel that live in-game data has a role to play in the development of a players' understanding of their role on the pitch?

Football will always be somewhat dependent on feelings and intuition, but I do think it’s useful to analyse both individual and game performances. Football is becoming more and more complex, faster and more pretentious. That has to be accounted for.

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