Jerome Boateng

I can play at full back on either side, but I prefer the central defensive position.

I believe my strengths are my pace and reading of the game.

When we lose the ball, I don't want to win it back directly. I act smarter now, have better anticipation, and also start earlier when somebody tries to lob the ball over me.

I had injuries - even when I was younger, I had problems with my back. I had to grow up very fast.

Keeping up your concentration is one of the hardest tasks when you're a centre-back because a team like Bayern tend to dominate and can give you sense of false security.

I am happy to be a German. I'm proud, or I wouldn't be here in the team.

Bayern is the biggest team in Germany, one of the biggest teams in Europe. Every year, world class players come along, so it's one of the strongest teams in the world.

At Bayern, if you don't win the Champions League, it's always a criticism because we have a great team, but most of the people forget that there are other great teams, and it's not that we aren't special.

As a player, you would sometimes want a bit more public backing.

When I got older, I wanted to have shoes that no one else had, so I started to choose different shoes; then it followed to my clothes.

When you get a little bit older, you're always trying to do something different from your siblings.

It was especially tough following my shoulder injury. I was able to play again after three months out, but it wasn't the same Boateng. I had the feeling I was in another body.