Maximilian Eggestein has settled in very well at SC Freiburg and has quickly become a cornerstone of head coach Christian Streich’s style of play. The 27-year-old has started all 26 games in all competitions this season and, as vice-captain, is one of the Breisgau side’s leading players. In this WERDER.DE interview, Eggestein tells all about his role at the club, his feelings ahead of his return to Bremen, and competing with his brother in the Bundesliga.
WERDER.DE: Hi Maxi – even in Bremen, you were known for being a foodie. How are you enjoying Baden’s cuisine?
Maximilian Eggestein: From a culinary standpoint, I’m very open to getting to know new things. Baden’s cuisine is also really tasty. I really enjoy Maultaschen and especially Spätzle.
WERDER.DE: You joined SC Freiburg two and a half years ago. When you moved, you made it clear that you wouldn’t accept any old offer. Has it lived up to your expectations?
Maximilian Eggestein: Yes, definitely, I never would have thought that we’d play European football two years in a row and make a DFB-Pokal final. Those are the sorts of things you dream of, but are never actually realistic. So my expectations have definitely been surpassed.
WERDER.DE: Your father Karl played under Volker Finke for several years at TSV Havelse. Finke went on to have a similar influence at SC Freiburg to that of your current coach Christian Streich. Have you exchanged thoughts about how the two compare?
Maximilian Eggestein: Yeah, we actually have quite a bit. We’ve also met Volker Finke in Freiburg. They both represent Freiburg through the great work they’ve done or continue to do.
WERDER.DE: You mentioned in a podcast that you do things off the pitch with almost the whole team at Freiburg. As vice-captain, is it important to you to carry on that DNA?
Maximilian Eggestein: Yes, very important. We live off it as a team and you can see that we’re very united on the pitch as well. Of course, some of the guys have families or partners, so not everyone can always be there. We still try to do things together as a group as often as we can, though.
A part of me is still a Werder fan, but now I’m on the opposing team.Maximilian Eggestein
WERDER.DE: Your partner in central midfield has been either the experienced Nicolas Höfler or, of late, the younger Merlin Röhl. How does your game change depending on who you’re alongside?
Maximilian Eggestein: I’m more of a 6 when I play with Merlin and more of an 8 with Chico [Nicolas Höfler]. So the role I play is either more defensive or more attacking. I’ve played with Chico for a long time, but I still have a bit of figuring out to do with Merlin. Nevertheless, both combinations have been working very well. I’m happy that we have those different options.
WERDER.DE: During your time at SV Werder, you were often the younger player in midfield. How important was it for you to make use of the experience of other players?
Maximilian Eggestein: I played with quite a few players who helped me a lot – Zlatko Junuzovic, Clemens Fritz or, later on, Nuri Sahin. They were lads you could always pick something up from, and I’m very thankful for that.
WERDER.DE: You were at SVW for over ten years and you’re returning as an opponent for the second time. How are you feeling?
Maximilian Eggestein: It will always be the same feeling; it will be weird to come here as an opponent. I played for the club for so many years and a part of me is still a Werder fan, but now I’m on the opposing team.
WERDER.DE: You’re yet to score in the Bundesliga this season. Werder are under something of a curse from its ex-players. Can you reassure us that you’ll carry on in that vein?
Maximilian Eggestein: Of course I can’t do that (laughs). We’ll see what happens at the weekend.
WERDER.DE: Have you warned the lads you played with while you were here?
Maximilian Eggestein: Not specifically about scoring goals, but of course there’s been a bit of banter – that’s all part of it for me. I’m still in touch with Marco especially, but also with Leo and Grosso.
WERDER.DE: Freiburg haven’t lost in their last five games against Werder, while SVW are unbeaten in their last five in the Bundesliga. Whose run will continue at the weekend?
Maximilian Eggestein: I obviously hope our run will carry on. Both sides could really use the points. Werder obviously landed three big points in Munich, so maybe they’ll let us have the points (grins).
WERDER.DE: We have to finish with one last question: how much would you love to face your brother in the Bundesliga next season?
Maximilian Eggestein: First of all, that would obviously be really nice for Jojo and for St. Pauli. That we’d then be able to see each other and play against each other twice would be a nice bonus. Unfortunately, we just about missed out on sharing the pitch with each other in the cup last season, but that was still a cool experience for us both.
WERDER.DE: Well we’ve got our fingers crossed that you can catch up on the field soon. Thank you for talking to us, Maxi!
