Marvin Ducksch Reflects on Transition to Birmingham City and Challenges Faced

German striker Marvin Ducksch recently gave his first extensive interview to a German football publication since his transfer to Birmingham City in August. The 31-year-old exhibited his characteristic candidness in an in-depth feature for Kicker Magazine’s Thursday print edition, addressing a range of topics.

Ducksch recounted a particular incident involving a fan during a 0-3 defeat against Watford. “There was one individual who chose to heckle throughout the match,” he remarked, noting how he gestured toward the fan post-game. “When comments are directed at my family, that crosses a line for me. He kept pointing at me, and I could see what he was saying.”

He expressed frustration over the media’s portrayal of the incident, stating, “The whole situation was exaggerated by the press. I merely wanted to approach the individual and inquire about his grievances. The media took it too far.”

Ducksch also shared his observations on the style of play in the UK, stating, “There’s a lot of kick-and-rush football here. Many teams adopt a strategy of kicking the ball forward and hoping for the best. In Germany, even in the second division, we focus more on solving issues through passing play.”

He continued, highlighting the physical demands of the game, saying, “It’s very physical in the penalty area. Many center-backs are two meters tall and weigh 105 kilos. As a striker, one knows beforehand that they’ll be up against formidable opponents.”

Additionally, Ducksch noted the absence of VAR in the UK and the implications it has on officiating: “Many fouls go uncalled here, and players can often get away with a lot. This is not the case in the Bundesliga.”

Reflecting on his adaptation to the English game, he remarked, “I’ve had to adjust since I am a target forward who must fend off players with tackles. My body also wanted to ease off during the four matches in nine days over the holiday period. I’m unsure if I’ve ever been this fit, but one truly must be!”

Ducksch also shared his thoughts on his former club, saying, “It would have been nice to receive a ‘thank you’ or ‘good luck’ from Clemens Fritz, the chief personnel executive. He apologized and explained that he was busy at the time, which I can understand. However, after four years, a small message wouldn’t have been too much to ask.”

Despite this, he expressed gratitude for the support he received, stating, “We managed to resolve that. It was also nice of Marco Friedl, the captain of Werder, to acknowledge that my scoring ability would be missed. It shows that I was appreciated after all.”