Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Isac Lidberg (27) speaks on finally fulfilling Bundesliga dream

Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Isac Lidberg (27) speaks on finally fulfilling Bundesliga dream Borussia Mönchengladbach summer signing Isac Lidberg has spoken on finally fulfilling his childhood dream of playing Bundesliga football, revealing that he once expected to reach the German top flight considerably earlier. The 27-year-old arrived at Gladbach following two highly productive seasons with Darmstadt, for whom he scored 32 goals in 64 competitive appearances. Speaking to Kicker from Gladbach’s training camp at Tegernsee, Lidberg explained that his fascination with the Bundesliga stretches back to childhood. During a school exercise when he was approximately ten years old, Lidberg was asked to write down a future goal and attach it to his locker. His prediction proved ambitious. “By 16, I’ll be playing in the Bundesliga,” Lidberg recalled writing. “It didn’t quite work out. But now, eleven years late.” German football suits Isac Lidberg Lidberg’s eventual route to Germany’s top flight was anything but direct. The Swede believes his time at Darmstadt proved decisive, describing the move as a “stroke of luck” and explaining that German football suits his playing style particularly well. Lidberg defines himself as a high-intensity forward willing to work both in and out of possession. He makes repeated runs in behind, presses aggressively and wants to contribute beyond simply finishing chances. That approach helped him establish himself as one of the 2. Bundesliga’s most productive forwards. The next challenge is translating those qualities to the Bundesliga. Lidberg insists he feels ready. “Definitely,” he said when asked whether he was prepared for Germany’s top division. “I’m approaching it confidently and have great belief in my abilities.” Lidberg not viewing Kleindienst as rival One of those teammates is Gladbach captain Tim Kleindienst. The German national team striker’s return after a long injury layoff  naturally broaches the question about how the two forwards will coexist, but Lidberg rejects the idea that their relationship should be framed as a direct battle for one position. “Tim is an outstanding player and a good friend,” Lidberg said. “I don’t see the situation as a duel between the two of us.” Why does Gladbach striker wear No. 3? Lidberg has already attracted attention at his new club for another reason. Rather than selecting a conventional attacking squad number, the striker will wear No. 3. The choice partly stems from the lack of traditional attacking numbers available, but Lidberg also associates it with former Ghana international Asamoah Gyan. Lidberg remembers watching Gyan at a World Cup as a child and being fascinated by a prolific striker wearing such an unconventional number. “All good things come in threes,” Lidberg added. Wrestling background shaped Lidberg Sport has occupied a central role throughout Lidberg’s life. His father Martin was a world and European wrestling champion who competed at three Olympic Games. Lidberg initially followed the same path, beginning wrestling at approximately six and continuing until he was eleven. He believes he lost only one bout during that period. Football ultimately proved more enjoyable. The physical benefits of those years remain, however. Lidberg credits wrestling with helping develop his balance, body control and explosiveness, while watching his father train every day taught him discipline and the importance of sustained hard work. His father still watches every match and regularly speaks with him afterwards. Lidberg maintains close friendship with Viktor Gyökeres Football also connects Lidberg with Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres. The pair attended the same school, played football together during breaks and remain close friends. Lidberg even joked that Gyökeres had offered few useful Bundesliga tips because his fellow Sweden international only played in Germany’s second division. Lidberg’s own Bundesliga opportunity has taken longer than the ten-year-old version of himself anticipated. After two prolific seasons in Darmstadt and a circuitous journey through professional football, however, the childhood note attached to his school locker has finally become reality. GGFN  |  Peter Weis