“It kind of hurt...”

Maximilian Eggestein on the U21 Euros, holiday and leadership role
Happy to be back: Maxi Eggestein returns to training. (Photo: nordphoto).
First Team
Monday, 22.07.2019 / 16:55

Maxi and his brother have spent their holidays apart and it’s no wonder, considering the month they spent as roommates. “It was enough,” said Maxi Eggestein, smirking. The two brothers finished second in the U21 Euros with Germany. It was an eventful summer for Werder’s midfielder, which he discussed in an interview with WERDER.DE after his return on Monday – after a very short holiday.

“It was a break for the mind, not the body,” said Eggestein about the almost three weeks he had off, which did him “a lot of good.” It was urgently needed after 48 competitive games and a defeat in the European Championship final. His motto was to head out and enjoy the Mallorcan sun, although Eggestein admitted: “It kind of hurt a bit to see everyone else back and you’re the only one not there. That’s why I’m really looking forward to being back with the team.”

Eggestein: The captain’s armband is “totally out of mind”

Maxi Eggestein made five appearances for the Germany U21s during the European Championship. (Photo: imago).

As well as a silver medal, Eggestein brought something else with him back from the Euros in Italy. It was his first major tournament and to play in such a competition was more than just exciting. “To be on the field every third day is something completely different to the Bundesliga,” said Eggestein, who, despite great disappointment, can be proud of his accomplishments at the Euros.

The fact that he has also been linked with the Werder captaincy after such a strong season is something that does not occupy his mind, however. “To be honest it’s totally out of my mind,” said the 22-year-old. When asked whether anything medical came under the umbrella term of “other things” that were said to be on his mind during his holiday, the midfield man answered that it was more just about switching off after a long season.

Eggestein wants to take on more responsibility

Regardless of captaincy, Eggestein would still like to develop further. He demands a lot from himself and wants to take on more responsibility and more of a leadership role both on and off the pitch. “I took on certain responsibilities in my own way last year. Everyone has their own style but I still want to improve on that.”

Eggestein is rather quiet and introverted off the pitch. He likes to do his talking on the pitch. There are others in the team who are big talkers. “In my opinion it is very good to have such a mix of personalities that hold the whole structure together,” explained Eggestein. For him, a leader does not necessarily have to be extroverted both on and off the pitch. As in the past season, he wants to be one of the mainstays in the framework of SVW.

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