“Discipline is the bridge between goals and their realization.”

Former German international Ridle Baku’s second goal of the season proved the difference as VfL Wolfsburg were able to finally secure their first home win of the season on Saturday afternoon. Prior to this critical tally, Baku spoke on his first goal of the season in an interview with German footballing journalist Thomas Hiete for the Thursday print edition of Kicker Magazine. 

“I’ve only scored once,” Baku noted when asked how he assessed Wolfsburg’s first ten match-days thus far this season, “There could have been more scorer points. I have to be self-critical.” 

Baku’s German national team career has remained stalled since earning his four senior team caps in 2020 and 2021. A crucial component of Stefan Kuntz’s UEFA U21 European Championship winning squad, many were surprised (and even incensed) that Jogi Löw didn’t take the Mainz native with him to the summer 2021 Euros. 

Since then, Baku has been left to question why he never managed to climb back up to the top level. It’s been well over two years since the now 26-year-old conducted an extensive interview on the subject. This time, the man christened after 42-times-capped German international Karl-Heinz Riedle found himself in no mood to make excuses. 

“There’s no point in beating around the bush,” Baku said, “I lacked consistency. Unfortunately, I didn’t meet my performance standards. I recently read [Mark Divine’s book] ‘The Way of the [NAVY] Seal’.”

“It says: Discipline is the bridge between goals and their realization,” Baku – quoting the book – continued, “I am still in the process of realizing my own goals.”

“I’m in my prime and I have my objectives,” Baku also said, “I’m convinced that the achievements of the time were not coincidences. the issue of consistency is crucial for me, and I will continue to work on it. “

“I am convinced that I can reach this level again permanently,” Baku concluded, “Nothing has changed in terms of my commitment and my will. I’m German, I played for the DFB, I became U-21 European champion and I’m in my prime.”