- initiation triumph for the newcomer at Werder: Desired league position placement for the debutant
Keke Topp's impressive opening act in the SV Werder Bremen kit has fueled his desire for additional goals in the Bundesliga. "Of course, I'd love to find the back of the net in Germany's top league too. I've still got plenty of time on my side. I'm just 20 years old," the striker shared after his hat-trick against Energie Cottbus in the initial round of the DFB-Pokal.
With the match ball tucked beneath his arm like a prize, Topp sauntered towards the locker room after an exceptional debut with Werder. "If you bag a hat-trick, you deserve to keep the ball. This was my first hat-trick in the pro leagues, I hope it's not my last," the attacker couldn't help but express his thoughts.
Before linking up with Werder, Topp had already worn their colors in the academy. He made the move back to his native town in June. "It's great to be back home, with family and friends. Knowing this place made my transition smoother," Topp shared about settling in near the Weser River.
Werner tamps down the excitement
However, Topp remained humble following his success in Cottbus, and instead, credited his teammates. "I was well-positioned due to my teammates' support. Without their help, I wouldn't have been able to score. I'm not the kind of player who can outmaneuver multiple defenders on my own," the 20-year-old explained.
Likewise, coach Ole Werner aimed to tone down the celebration. "Today was just the preliminary round of the DFB-Pokal. A young talent like Topp might learn even more in the Bundesliga. However, we're confident in his talent," Werner added.
This coming Saturday, Topp is set to prove his surname's meaning as Werder takes on FC Augsburg, marking the start of the new Bundesliga season.
After his impressive performance against Energie Cottbus, Topp expressed his aim to score more goals in the Bundesliga with Energy Cottbus being his latest victim. "I was happy to score a hat-trick against Energie Cottbus in the DFB-Pokal, but I'm looking forward to finding the back of the net more frequently in the Bundesliga," Topp mentioned.
When asked about his hat-trick against Energie Cottbus, Topp highlighted the role of his teammates in his success. "Scoring three goals against Energie Cottbus was great, but I couldn't have done it without the support and assistance of my teammates."