Junior, let’s talk about EURO 2024 first of all. Where did you watch the games and what did you make of it?

I was on holiday in Spain and then with my parents in Austria. I naturally was constantly following the tournament. There were a lot of enjoyable games. I particularly enjoyed the games involving my Austrian team. It felt like I was playing while watching on the sofa.

Austria put on a real show in the group stage and then went out to Turkey in the round of 16. Did that hurt a lot?

We deservedly won our group and that was despite having opponents like France or the Netherlands. Then, Turkey went ahead in the first minute and it was really difficult. To be honest, I didn’t even see their goal. I was still eating and wanted to be able to enjoy the game – that wasn’t possible after going behind so early on. I know what the lads are capable of and I had hoped that they would get back in the game quickly. Lots of things went wrong on the night. I’m now looking forward to the World Cup qualifiers and I’m going to do all I can to be involved.

Was the Austria game against Turkey, with the lack of luck on your side, somewhat similar to your first season at SC? You missed pre-season due to injury, had a goal chalked off on your debut in Frankfurt and then couldn’t really get going properly…

Things really didn’t start well for me. I couldn’t train at the start and wasn’t able to help the team and show the coaches here and at the national team what I’m capable of. I missed a lot last season and that hurt. I want to make up for lost time now.

You are now fit for the start of pre-season. Does this feel like a bit of a fresh start?

Yes. I’m involved on the first day of the new season and training is really intense. That’s good for me.

What are your thoughts when you see a football? On Thursday, you had an extremely intense two-hour session and then kicked a ball about for half an hour afterwards…

It’s a bit like being a little dog that wants to chase the ball all the time (laughs). If there is a ball nearby, I simply can’t leave it alone and have to kick it. It doesn’t matter if it’s during training or in my free time, I never get bored kicking a ball about.

Yesterday saw SC play their first pre-season friendly. It ended 1-1 against Austria Bundesliga side SCR Altach and you scored. What went well and what went less so well?

I thought it was pretty solid for the first game. The communication was there out on the pitch, we had some good periods where we were compact and we also got the ball forward nicely. There is obviously a lot that we still have to work on. We want to win second balls, we want to break quickly and create more chances. It was a really nice move for my goal and I was desperate to score.

After a day of recovery work and then the vote for the team council, the team will have an evening together tonight, while Sunday is a day off. What will an Austrian get up to in the middle of the Alps on a day off?

I think we’ll go up the mountain. If the weather is nice and the views are good, then there is nothing better. I hope there is a proper Kaiserschmarrn somewhere up there too.