The Varsity football matches are a highlight of the Cambridge sporting calendar. This time round Grange Road plays host to the double-header, as Oxford come to town seeking revenge. Last year, the men’s side backed up the women’s victory, sweeping aside the dark blues 4-1. I sat down with league top scorer and men’s captain Deniz Ozer, and kicked off by asking him whether there is added expectation after recent triumphs.

Deniz: After last year’s score, we know how to approach the game. We’re just trying to go into this game with the same approach and mindset as last year — we’re focussed on winning.

How do you see your role as captain in the run-up to the fixture?

Deniz: I believe we should train as we mean to play. I like to maintain high standards because if you have a team that treats a training session as a final, that’ll translate to a result on game day. I want to see a culture of high standards throughout.

Who was your favorite player growing up?

Deniz: Eden Hazard. I play in a similar position as him and I love the way he plays. He’s so confident on the ball, always looking to create something out of nothing. Seeing him do that in the Premier League growing up moved me.

“I was playing for Kingstonian FC with Reece James’ dad as coach”

Tell us a bit about your football journey growing up before arriving at Cambridge.

Deniz: I started playing football when I was five, for different local teams. After that I was playing for the youth teams of semi-pro teams for a while; from age 14 to 18 I was playing for Kingstonian FC with Reece James’ dad as coach. We won the treble in my last year, and got to play Charlton in the FA youth cup.

It’s your final year here. What’s your best CUAFC memory and how do you feel about leaving them?

Deniz: Winning Varsity last year, 4-1 against a big home crowd was amazing. And the tour in China this summer, playing in huge stadiums across there against other Universities. Winning the Midlands cup, too. There’s been so many highs it’s hard to say, but I’ve had the best footballing experiences at Cambridge, and I’m leaving a great group of lads behind. It’s sad to be moving on but I know loads of great players who’ll continue to add success to the club.

“We’re really excited about being at Grange Road too, the fans are so close”

How do you feel about playing at home for the third year in a row?

Deniz: The home advantage for the third year in a row has really helped us, having 2,000 Cambridge supporters there. We’re really excited about being at Grange Road too, the fans are so close and so we should be able to get a good atmosphere going. It’s also where we train three times a week, so we really know the setting well and should be able to benefit from that.

Have you been keeping an eye on Oxford throughout the year?

Deniz: Our coaches have been. But the players are just focussing on ourselves, and thinking about winning the league and playing our best game before doing anything tactical about Oxford.

What’s your go-to pre-match song?

Deniz: The team generally listens to house music in the changing room before the game. The boys like Sammy Virji. I don’t really have a go to pre-match song, it changes depending on if anything new has been released, but I always listen to music before a game.

And one essential song for the after party at Kiki’s?

Deniz: What You Know. Two Door Cinema Club. Always.

What can fans expect from the game?

Deniz: Fans can expect to see a hungry Cambridge side looking to retain the Varsity title, and playing high-quality, confident football.

Prediction for the scoreline?

Deniz: Cambridge win.