Wer ist bastian nwi ich bin ein star

Germany's star man: Schweinsteiger provides brain to go with Khedira's brawn

Published: 09:46 EST, 14 May 2012 | Updated: 10:06 EST, 14 May 2012

Germany will seek to end a 16-year title drought at the Euro 2012 finals where much will depend on the performance of the team's brain: Bastian Schweinsteiger.    

The experienced 27-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder, nicknamed the 'brain' by Germany coach Joachim Loew, is the team's natural leader and its barometer.     

If he plays well the team usually wins. A slump in form, or injury, takes the shine off the young German team.   

Confident: Bastian Schweinsteiger (centre) says Germany are ready to win

The three-time European champions are chasing a first title since 1996 and Schweinsteiger, whose formidable midfield partnership with Sami Khedira helped Germany to third place at the 2010 World Cup, is aware of the expectations.    

'This is the best national team I have ever played for,' Schweinsteiger, capped 90 times for Germany and going into his fifth major tournament, told reporters. 'Everyone expects us to win the title and naturally it is something that we also desire.'   

The midfielder has also combined well with skilled Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil and attack-minded teenager Mario Gotze in the German midfield, leading them to a flawless qualification with 10 wins in 10 games. 

Strong, skilled, clever and in possession of a lethal right-foot shot, Schweinsteiger can be equally dangerous orchestrating breaks for the lightning-quick Germans or slicing open defences with pin-point passing.   

The only thing missing now is a major title, for either club or country.    

EURO 2012: THE STAR PLAYERS

The current season, however, may not have been the one the gifted midfielder wished for, having missed two months since November with a broken collar bone.    

He then picked up a ligament problem as well as a knee injury and was out twice more after the Bundesliga restart.    

'He is the head of the team,' said Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, who recently compared him with Barcelona and Spain midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta.    

'He gives the tempo, he steers our game and is very hard to replace. When he is not there then both our offensive and defensive game is affected.'   

Bayern already felt his absence when a three-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga going into the new year became a five-point deficit as the Bavarians stuttered at the restart without Schweinsteiger.    

Germany also paid a price when he missed their friendly against France in February. They lost 2-1 after a lacklustre performance in Bremen.    

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the Bundesliga title, this could still be a momentous year for Schweinsteiger if Bayern win the Champions League and Germany win the Euros. His dream of winning major titles is tantalisingly within reach for both club and country.   

Bastian Schweinsteiger (born 1 August 1984)

Recently joining MLS club Chicago Fire from Manchester United in 2017 Bastian first entered the world stage during his time with Bayern Munich. This German midfielder is renowned for his strong presence on and off the ball. After Philipp Lahm's international retirement in 2014, Schweinsteiger was named as captain after they recently lifted the FIFA World Cup as champions. Having spent 13 seasons with Bayern Munich, he played exactly 500 matches for the club, helping to win 8 Bundesliga titles, 7 DFB-Pokal titles, a UEFA Champions League title, a FIFA Club World Cup title, and two DFB-Ligapokals.

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Bastian Baker in Japan

Er spricht über Einsamkeit, was er liebt und was er hasst

Bereits zum dritten Mal ist Bastian Baker in Japan. Und mittlerweile weiss der Westschweizer, wie er seine zurückhaltenden japanischen Fans knacken kann. Die «Schweizer Illustrierte» hat ihn bei seinem Trip ins Land der aufgehenden Sonne begleitet und zeigt exklusive Bilder.

Baker über die Japaner: «Die Menschen hier gehen so respektvoll miteinander um. Das gefällt mir.»

«Shigoto ga nai, okane ga nai, kanojo ga nai, demo ikemen», ruft Bastian Baker, 23, in die Menge. Er steht auf der Bühne einer angesagten Konzertlocation in Tokio. In der ersten Reihe junge Japanerinnen, die kichern und sich die Hand vor den Mund halten. Doch mit seinen wenigen Brocken Japanisch bringt er das Eis zum Schmelzen. Sie bedeuten: «Ich habe keine Arbeit, kein Geld, keine Freundin, aber ich bin schön.»

Schön finden ihn seine Fans. Darum nennen sie ihn auch Ikemen, was so viel heisst wie gut aussehender, cooler Typ. Baker führt ein Leben auf der Überholspur. In der «Schweizer Illustrierten» meint er: «Ich hatte immer Angst davor, mich an etwas zu gewöhnen. Ich hasse Routine.» Darum empfindet er sein Nomaden-Dasein als völlig normal. Einsamkeit kommt nur selten vor. «Klar, wenn du auf Tour warst und dir Hunderte Menschen zugejubelt haben, ist diese Ruhe, wenn du heimkommst, schon schwierig.»

Die ganze Reportage über Bastian Bakers Trip nach Japan lesen Sie in der aktuellen Ausgabe der «Schweizer Illustrierten» Nr. 49 - ab 1. Dezember 2014 am Kiosk und auf Ihrem iPad.

Von YM am 3. Dezember 2014 - 02:27 Uhr, aktualisiert 20. Januar 2019 - 16:42 Uhr