“The coach believes in me”
“The coach believes in me”
Maximilian Mittelstädt on the last few weeks, Jonathan Klinsmann and more.
Berlin – In the last few weeks, the management at Hertha BSC – above all Michael Preetz and Pál Dárdai – have emphasised again and again how important the UEFA Europa League is for the younger players in the team. “We have two or three players that have gotten significant experience from this competition,” noted Preetz. One of these young players is Maximilian Mittelstädt. He was born and raised in Spandau – a true Berliner with an exciting future. Recently, herthabsc.de spoke to Maxi about the last few games, his teammates and more.
herthabsc.de: Maxi, you were one of the first to congratulate Jonathan Klinsmann after his penalty save against Östersund and generally, you seem to get along with him well. How do you try to integrate the new-comers?
Mittelstädt: Jonathan and I had already met each other before he came to Berlin. We played against each other for our national teams and got to know one another briefly like that. When he came to Hertha, we were obviously very happy. In general, we young players try to be there for one another. We’ve known each other for a long time, some of us went to the same school and played together in the U23s.
herthabsc.de: At Hertha BSC, there’s the rule that the youngsters have to clear up the training pitches after sessions. Are you still one of these youngsters or at the age of 20, do you no longer have to do this?
Mittelstädt: (laughs) I’m still one of the youngsters and I enjoy doing it – that’s what it’s like in football. There’s a clear hierarchy, even if I’ve been here for a long time, I’m still one of the youngsters, who has to take the balls and bottles inside after training.
herthabsc.de: After the U20 World Cup in South Korea, you needed a little time to get back into the swing of things. What was that down to?
Mittelstädt: I don’t want to put that phase down to having too little holiday or recovery time – I definitely had enough. Pre-season started well and I completed every training session and was completely ready for the friendlies. Unfortunately, an injury, which should have only meant a short time out, took longer than expected and that set me back. Then, as it often is with injuries, I wasn’t able to get into the swing of things. I should have gotten game time with the U23s, but things weren’t quite right in terms of the results. We didn’t pick up many points and I needed a while to start working again under competitive conditions. But I said to myself, it’s completely normal for me, especially as a young player, to have ups and downs – that’s just part of it.
herthabsc.de: In October, you broke your nose in a game for the U23s, but since then things have been better for you. In the last few weeks you’ve started on the left in a more advanced position and performed well. What happened after this injury?
Mittelstädt: I wasn’t really sure where I stood, while I was thinking about what I could do to improve, our game in the Europa League against Luhansk came, the coach put his trust in me and gave me the chance to play from the start. We played well, I got an assist and we won - that gave me a real boost. Suddenly, my confidence was back. The coach then put me in the starting XI again and I regained my head.
herthabsc.de: You also feel at home playing left-back. What is different on the wing compared to in defence?
Mittelstädt: I think I feel good in both positions and I also have to. In the end, I play where the coach needs me and I have to perform. I am a natural left-back, but I also feel good playing further forwards. ‘Platte’ and I are a good team, maybe because of my history as a left-back. We can iron out each others' mistake and keep things tight at the back. Going forwards, we also both have quality and I can certainly learn a lot from him. You can always learn things from these kinds of players.
herthabsc.de: Against Hannover, Salomon Kalou again played on the left wing and did so superbly, scoring two goals. What are your thoughts on his performance?
Mittelstädt: I’m very happy that Salomon scored and secured some very important points with his goals against Augsburg and Hannover. He is a player with unbelievable experience. He has a calmness about him, which he never loses. Of course, his super performances don’t make things easier for me to get playing time, but the success of the team stands in the foreground no matter who plays. For that, I’ll get in line.
herthabsc.de: After being included in the starting XI for five consecutive games, you weren’t in the squad for the home game against Hannover. How did Pál Dárdai share this news with you and what was it like to follow the game from the stands?
Mittelstädt: The coach explained to me that it had nothing to do with my performances and that he’s very happy with me. He wanted to give me a rest because I had played a lot of games consecutively. Regeneration plays an important role for young players like me. Of course, I alwas want to play, but this rest did me good. Things like that are good for your head, so I’ll now be able to give 1,000 percent again.
herthabsc.de: To finish 2016, you face third-place Leipzig. How are you approaching this game?
Mittelstädt: It’ll be a very, very tough match; Leipzig have a strong team. We want to build on our performances from the last few games and can’t let Leipzig get into their stride. No one expects us to dominate them, but we want to take full advantage of our chances – that’s how we’ll take something from the game.
[>]I wasn’t really sure where I stood, but then our Europa League game against Luhansk came.[<]