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Sebastian Hellmann often uses this trick: The Sky presenter likes to point out to young players that Lothar Matthäus has just praised them - if he has praised them.
That conjures up a charming smile on the face of a nobody.
There is a nice TV picture.
It was the same with Ansgar Knauff.
"Um, yes, well - I'm definitely happy," said the 19-year-old young professional from Borussia Dortmund in his first television interview.
He seemed a bit embarrassed about the praise from the record international ("If he stays on the ground, he'll go his way"), then reported on his dreamy experiences: First there was his surprising starting line-up and his good performance in the Champions League on Tuesday at 1: 2 at BVB in Manchester - then his winning goal at 3: 2 (0: 1) in Stuttgart on Saturday.
It couldn't have gone better for him personally.
Ansgar Knauff shoots BVB to victory in Stuttgart and keeps Borussia's Champions League hopes alive
Source: Getty Images / Christian Kaspar-Bartke
“It's been an incredible week for me.
I hope it continues like this, ”said Knauff.
This time he was substituted on by BVB coach Edin Terzic in the 67th minute for the ailing Marco Reus.
In the 80th minute he showed his remarkable ability: He picked up a pass from Erling Haaland, pulled inside, faked a dribble and speculated that there would be a gap between the three Stuttgart defenders who tried to take him .
Then he flicked the ball into the corner.
Knauff's carelessness is good for BVB
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"We tell him that this is exactly why he is with us, because of his qualities and because of his self-confidence," said Terzic, who particularly appreciates Knauff's courageous and fresh style of play.
That is why he had already chosen him in Manchester.
The coach thought that the risk that the pressure to play for one of the best club teams in the world could paralyze the youngster was calculable.
"The pressure is on me if I let him play," explained Terzic.
“And then it's about having courage.
That he can fly past the opponent in one-on-one and seek the conclusion. "
That is exactly what BVB lacked in the 1: 2 against Frankfurt last week, according to Terzic: a portion of carefree, a bit of unpredictability.
Knauff is therefore an almost ideal type, especially with regard to Terzic's ideas about football.
Stuttgart on “eye level” with BVB
VfB Stuttgart unfortunately lost 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund.
But that was not due to the footballing performance of the Swabians, says coach Pellegrino Matarazzo.
Source: Stats Perform News
The tricky and fast player always chooses the offensive solution when he gets the ball.
Then he either looks for a goal himself or opens rooms for his teammates.
They in turn really appreciate that: “Halloooo superstar”, commented Jude Bellingham (17) on a cheering photo that Knauff had posted on Instagram.
So the teenage trend in Dortmund continues.
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Knauff's debut hit in only his third Bundesliga game will very likely not contribute to the fact that it will still work out with participation in the Champions League.
The gap to Eintracht Frankfurt, fourth in the table, is seven points - with only six games left.
Little constancy in the BVB offensive behind Haaland
But Knauff has shown that he can be an important personnel alternative for BVB in the future.
Especially against the background that his competitors in the offensive positions behind striker Haaland are currently unable to show a constant form curve: Marco Reus, Thorgan Hazard, Gio Reyna and Julian Brandt are not playing a convincing season.
Jadon Sancho is injured and the England international could possibly leave BVB in the summer.
The team should also draw motivation from the opportunities that the cup competitions still have in store.
In the DFB Cup, the Terzic team welcomes the second division Holstein Kiel in the semi-finals.
In the Champions League, Borussia have proven that Manchester City is not invulnerable.
The English come to Dortmund for the second leg on Wednesday.
With a performance like in the first leg, a sensation seems quite possible.