Michael Zetterer came to Bremen as a teenager. By now he has spent the majority of his footballing career at Werder. The 27-year-old goalkeeper has once again extended his contract with the Green-Whites. In an interview with WERDER.DE, Zetterer spoke about why he feels at home at SVW, what the toughest time in his career was and his future plans.
WERDER.DE: Moin Zetti, after eight years you still haven’t had enough of Werder. On a serious note, does the shrimp roll beat the Weißwurst?
Michael Zetterer: Definitely not (laughs). Neither for me at the moment, anyway, as I’m now on a vegetarian or vegan diet.
WERDER.DE: So the Bremen fish and you are no longer together, but you will continue your footballing career at Werder.
Michael Zetterer: There were many reasons to stay here, so I made the decision together with my advisor and my family. There were also one or two offers that I took into consideration, and of course I want to game time as well, but overall it felt right to stay at Werder.
WERDER.DE: You were 19 when you came to Bremen. At the time you were playing in Munich at Unterhaching. Was it difficult for you to make the move up north back then?
Zetti has been at the club for eight years, joining in January 2015, here's to many more ????#werderpic.twitter.com/MMF8cTNEc4
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) February 15, 2023
Michael Zetterer: Not from a football point of view. It was clear to me at the time that this was the only way to get into the Bundesliga. I was still living at home, so in that sense it was harder. With the distance, I could only ever travel to my family with planning in advance.
WERDER.DE: You first joined the U23s at the time.
Michael Zetterer: Yes. The plan was for me to train with the first team and play for the U23s. I had already worked with Christian Vander in the national team and quickly realised that he could make me a better goalkeeper. That’s why I didn’t want to go through a team in the second or third division, but take this step directly.
WERDER.DE: During your time at Werder, you were also loaned out twice. At Zwolle, you had to earn your place in goal. Was that the most difficult part of your career over these years?
Michael Zetterer: No. The hardest time was coming back from injuries again and again.
WERDER.DE: For example when you broke your wrist.
Michael Zetterer: A lot of things go through your head at a time like that. You have doubts about how things will continue at all, and of course it wasn’t an easy time in Zwolle too, having to fight for my place in at the beginning, but it did work out well.
WERDER.DE: In the end, however, the path always led back to Werder.
Michael Zetterer: I know that not every player sees it this way, but it was clear to me that I wanted to go back to my club. That was and still is Werder for me. When I got the call that something was happening here in the goalkeeper position, I knew that I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity.
WERDER.DE: Thomas Wolter once said that if you marry someone from Bremen, you’ll never leave. Your girlfriend Lili is from Bremen.
Michael Zetterer: In football you never know where you’ll end up. Of course, after such a long time Bremen has become home. So maybe the saying is right (laughs).
WERDER.DE: You had to wait for six and a half years for your first team debut for the Green-Whites. What did that game mean to you?
Michael Zetterer: That was definitely one of the best moments for me, especially after the long time it took to make my debut. It will stay in my memory, even though the game only ended in a draw.
When you have made that first appearance and see the feeling it gives you, then you work hard towards your opportunity.Michael Zetterer
WERDER.DE: Do you still bear a grudge against Duckschi for his goal for Hanover back then to make it 1-1?
Michael Zetterer: Of course (laughs).
WERDER.DE: At the end of the day, only one person can be in goal. This season, after your substitution against Augsburg, Pavlas was back in goal in the next game. Is that difficult for a goalkeeper to take?
Michael Zetterer: Yes, of course, as I mentioned before, only one can play. There are not changes in this position like in others, and I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t like to get back on the pitch. When you have made that first appearance and see the feeling it gives you, then you work hard towards your opportunity. It’s a goal for the future for me.
WERDER.DE: How is the relationship between you goalkeepers?
Michael Zetterer: Very good, and I’ve had different experiences in that respect. In Zwolle, the relationship was very tense, but that’s okay. The relationship between Pavlas and me is very good and professional. In the end, you only get further if you train well and not take it so seriously. We both push each other.
WERDER.DE: You have proven that you are there when you’re needed. What are your plans for the next few years at Werder?
Michael Zetterer: Many things. Of course I have my dreams and goals, which I am working hard to achieve. Hopefully it will pay off at some point.
WERDER.DE: We look forward to continuing this journey with you. Thank you very much for the interview, Zetti!
