'It's a very special game for me'

Zé Roberto spent six years at Bayern before switching to Hamburg, where the 35-year-old is revelling in yet another golden phase in a glittering career. The man capped 84 times by Brazil has played a starring role in HSV heading the Bundesliga standings after six games. Ahead of Saturday’s clash between Ze’s old and new clubs, fcbayern.de spoke to the gifted veteran, who already has three goals this term.

Interview: Zé Roberto

fcbayern.de: Zé, you've now spent three months in Hamburg. How's it going so far?
Zé Roberto: “It's a very good, very well-run club. We have a good team with a number of quality young players. I think it's a team with a future."

And there's a quality 'oldie' in there among them…
“Yes, too right (laughs). Frank Rost and I are the oldest members of the team. I reckon it's a good blend. You need one or two older players, as we can help the youngsters with our experience.”

It didn't go as planned against Osnabrück in the cup, where you were knocked out on penalties. What went wrong?
“It's always a shame when you lose like that. But these things happen. We have to move on. We're out of a competition in which we'd hoped to do well. But we still have the Europa League and the Bundesliga.”

You cross swords with your former club on Saturday. Are you looking forward to it?
“A great deal. It's a very special game for me. The clubs did meet in the pre-season T-Home-Cup, but this is different again. There's a totally different atmosphere compared to a friendly. I have so many good memories of Bayern, where I spent six years, won eight trophies, and made many, many friends. It was a wonderful period.”

What can HSV achieve, with Bayern already breathing down their necks?
“We're still top of the table. We've not done so well in our last three games, but we still have enough belief to defend our position.”

Will you be fit to play?
“I hope so. I only played a half against Osnabrück with a calf strain, but I'm already feeling a lot better. I'll report for treatment on Friday, and I'm hoping to be fit for Saturday. I'd really like to play.”

Who are you most looking forward to seeing again?
“Obviously, the physios, Fredi Binder and Gerry Hoffmann, because you develop a very close friendship over so many years. And then there's former team-mates like Philipp Lahm, Schweini, Breno, Andi Ottl, Jörg Butt and Hamit Altintop. I had a great relationship with lots of the players. It's a shame Mark van Bommel and Micho won't be there.”

Your switch to Hamburg happened very fast last summer. You must have had any number of offers.
“Yes, first there was an offer from Bayern, but unfortunately, we couldn't agree terms on an extension. Then Hamburg made me an offer. After so many years here, I wanted to stay in Germany, so I didn't have to think about it for long. I can play at the highest level for another two years, and there's a chance of a different role after I hang up my boots. There were some other offers, but with my family in mind – my kids were born in Germany and my wife really likes it here too – the decision was easy.”

How do you like Hamburg?
“I like the city a lot. I didn't know much about it before, just the hotel and the stadium from away games there. But I'm very much taken by the city, it's a fine place with an excellent quality of life.”

But you're still in a hotel and your family is in Munich. Why?
“Because I've not found a house I like here yet. But there's no time pressure. I think my family will join me at the end of the year. It's always complicated, especially when your kids are at school, but I think it'll be easiest for them to change school at the end of the year.”

It'll be a long-distance relationship for the Zé Roberto family until then. How much do you all miss each other?
“It's not too bad while we have two games a week, because you're focused on that. But if I have a day or two off, I'll fly to Munich or my wife will bring the kids to Hamburg, so we're not missing each other too badly.”

The Oktoberfest is on in Munich at the moment. Will you be coming?
“Not this year, alas. We're playing in the Europa League next Thursday, and we're in Berlin on the last day, the Sunday. But maybe it'll work out next year.”