Interview: Charles Aranguiz

DW: Charles, how was your start in Leverkusen after the protracted transfer that took so long?

Charles Aranguiz: It was difficult. But with all of the formalities completed I'm finally in Germany. Now, I'm trying to get to know my new environment. I have to meet a lot of people in Leverkusen to become accustomed with everything quickly. We have lost a lot of time, because I came so late. The season has already started, important matches await us and I have to become a part of the team. That means, I have to work a lot. People who are in charge at Leverkusen have done a lot to get my transfer fixed. I myself did everything I could to speed things up. My first goal is now, to pay back the club's work and its trust in me.

How are you getting along with your new teammates?

Very good! The squad is excellent. The boys gave me a friendly welcome. I'm sure, that everything will work out fine.

Leverkusen has a young team that plays a very aggressive and offensive style of football. Does this philosophy suit you?

The team is exactly how you describe it: young and talented. You can feel that they have worked a lot on their identity as a team and on the way they want to play. The team works well together and they play football in a way that suits me a lot. I'm confident that I will fit in perfectly.

You haven't even been here for two days and were already sitting on the bench at the first Bundesliga matchday against Hoffenheim. How did that feel?

I have to admit: I was pretty nervous. It was my first experience in Germany and I was so excited. I was afraid of that moment. Now it is over and from now on I have a new motto: to enjoy! I want to enjoy every training session, every match and every new experience.

Were you really so nervous when you entered the stadium for the first time?

I reckon this is normal. Nerves will always be there, they have to be there. In Chile a trainer once said: A footballer who is not nervous anymore should stop playing football. Football is excitement, football is passion.

You come to Germany as a Copa America winner. Do you think winning that title has increased the respect for Chilean football?

Chilean football started to get more reputation because of the work of Marcelo Bielsa [national coach in Chile 2007 - 2011]. He gave our football some character. Jorge Sampaoli [current national coach in Chile] continued his work and developed it further. With him this process was rewarded. Now we get international respect and are more in focus than before. We won a trophy that we never won before. The most important thing was the joy we gave to our country. That was the best thing.

At Leverkusen, you follow in the footsteps of Arturo Vidal. Can you still sense his presence at the club?

In Leverkusen you feel that affection everywhere. I've been here only for a couple of days but I already feel appreciated and needed. Arturo has played here for four years. I can imagine he also felt very comfortable during that time. Of course he left his imprint on Leverkusen and I hope to do the same as well.

Leverkusen meets Lazio in the Champions League playoffs. Are you ready for that extremely important match?

I am fit and in a good shape. Although, I haven't been here that long and the team has progressed quite far when I came. Now I have to work hard and try to catch up with my teammates as soon as possible.