Bring back what we did fantastically well against the top teams

In an interview ahead of Hertha’s trip to Fortuna Düsseldorf, Arne Maier speaks about his similarities to teammate Valentino Lazaro and the Germany U21s.

When you observe Arne Maier on the football pitch, it is all too easy to forget how young the Hertha BSC midfielder is. It remains astonishing to see how confident and calm the 19 year old performs on the pitch. Just a year after his first inclusion in the senior squad, Hertha’s number 23 has quickly become a key part of Pál Dáldai’s squad. Before the season started, Maier’s aim was to collect more match time and to if possible become a starter in the team. It is hard to believe how quickly Maier has been able to become a strong force in the team. At the beginning of September, Maier made his debut for Germany U21s at just 19 years old.

Ahead of the away trip to Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday, 10th November (15:30 CET), Maier spoke about the tricky task ahead as well as the similarities he and teammate Valentino Lazaro.

herthabsc.de: Arne, what comes to mind when you think of the similarities between you and teammate Valentino Lazaro?

Maier: We are both very enthusiastic, always want to be in possession of the ball and get on well off the pitch too.

herthabsc.de: You and Valentino have been two of the key players for the ‘Old Lady’ so far this season and have played in every single minute so far this season. You have also played the full 90 minutes on twelve occasions so far this season, more than the entire of last season (10 full match appearances). What makes you so irreplaceable for Pál Dárdai?

Maier: Just like every other player, I try to give everything I have in every training session to push to start in as many matches as possible.  Valentino has been just as successful as me at achieving this so far this season. However, it is always down to the coach to decide who will start each match.

herthabsc.de: You have already achieved one of your personal targets for the season: to become one of Pál Dárdai’s key players. However, you have another target in your sights regarding goals…

Maier: I agree. That is the essentially the next step for me to take. I am working hard to achieve this.

herthabsc.de: One of the players who has been very dangerous in front of goal so far this season is Ondrej Duda, who has six goals to his name so far this season. What makes Ondrej so good? What could you learn from him?

Maier: Ondrej is a player who can decide matches and make the breakthrough. He is always good at providing the final pass or scoring the crucial goal. He always displays this danger in front of goal whenever he plays. We are glad that he is currently in such good form. I think I can learn something from every experienced player who is in the squad.

herthabsc.de: Hertha travel to face Fortuna Düsseldorf this weekend, who are currently joint last in the Bundesliga table having lost their last six matches in a throw. However, Hertha have gone on a four match winless streak themselves. Which run will come to an end on Saturday?

Maier: We will do everything we can to win on Saturday in Düsseldorf. We cannot underestimate the quality Fortuna possess despite their lowly position in the table. We have to bring back what we did fantastically well against top teams such as Bayern and Dortmund. If we do this, I am convinced we will find a route to victory.

herthabsc.de: We would also like to briefly mention the upcoming international break. In September, you made your Germany U21s following your first call up from Stefan Kuntz. You have already enjoyed success with the national team, qualifying for next year’s U21s European Championship.

Maier: I was included into the team really and am really looking forward to the upcoming U21s fixtures. It is always a great honour to be called up for the national team. Of course I also want to feature at next summer’s European Championships in Italy. However, there is a long way to go before then.