WERDER.DE: You are now the face of Germany U21s and there are adverts with you in on TV at prime time. Is that something you’re aware of and has it affected you at all?
Johannes Eggestein: “Really? I actually haven’t seen any adverts so I haven’t really thought about it. I just get the impression that the entire team is more in the spotlight when we travel somewhere because we are representing our country together.”
WERDER.DE: Germany will be taking a football team to the Olympic Games next year in Tokyo. The players all have to be under 23 apart from three exceptions. Is this something that has been discussed in the U21s team?
Johannes Eggestein: “Our coach uses it as a little incentive to motivate us. He says that anyone is capable of making the team for it if they play well. In that sense, he has addressed the topic before, but the focus is currently on finding our best team for the moment and consolidating that.”
WERDER.DE: What’s it like playing for the U21s while your colleagues enjoy a couple of days off?
Johannes Eggestein: “It’s not really on my mind at the moment but you really notice it after the international break because you arrive back at the club and you’re straight back to work. It’s mental because you have to keep performing at a high level without much rest. Nevertheless, I am always extremely proud to be called up for international duty and to wear the eagle on my chest.”
WERDER.DE: And, vice-versa, does club activity have an impact on your time with the national team?
Johannes Eggestein: “Yes, of course. It’s not just what’s happening at the club that has an impact but also what’s happening with you as an individual. I wasn’t playing much at the start if the season and I took that with me but here with the U21s you can get away from it. You are with guys who are a similar age and are in similar situations themselves. The coach wants us to leave our club situations at the door. The national stage is separate.”