Max Meyer likes the DFB Cup so much that he has already been to Berlin’s Olympiastadion to watch two cup finals. Alas, both matches were contested by Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund, and not his club FC Schalke 04. When the Germany international enters the pitch with the Royal Blues against second division side SV Sandhausen on 8th February (18:30 CET), he will be looking to do all he can to help the Royal Blues move one step closer to Berlin, where this year’s final takes place on 27th May.
In an interview with DFB.de, the 21-year-old reflects on his first appearance in the DFB Cup with Schalke, a previous encounter with Sandhausen, the significance of his no. 7 shirt, his new role in his side’s attack and similarities with club and international teammates Benedikt Höwedes and Leon Goretzka.
DFB.de: When Schalke were drawn against SV Sandhausen back in October, did it stir any fond memories for you?
Meyer: No, why?
DFB.de: On 30th October 2012, FC Schalke faced Sandhausen in the second round of the DFB Cup in the only previous meeting between the two sides. A 17-year-old Max Meyer was called into the first team squad for the first time under Huub Steven…
Meyer (shocked): That’s right. I had completely forgotten about that.
DFB.de: How excited were you?
Meyer (laughs): When I think back, I was way too nervous. I had just turned 17. I was still in the U17s back then, or maybe just breaking into the U19s, though I had already trained a few times with the first team. To be in the squad for the game at the arena was a huge honour for me. Obviously I had thought about whether or not I would make a substitute appearance. That wasn’t the case that day, but to be there and experience it all was already amazing.
Max Meyer likes the DFB Cup so much that he has already been to Berlin’s Olympiastadion to watch two cup finals. Alas, both matches were contested by Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund, and not his club FC Schalke 04. When the Germany international enters the pitch with the Royal Blues against second division side SV Sandhausen on 8th February (18:30 CET), he will be looking to do all he can to help the Royal Blues move one step closer to Berlin, where this year’s final takes place on 27th May.
In an interview with DFB.de, the 21-year-old reflects on his first appearance in the DFB Cup with Schalke, a previous encounter with Sandhausen, the significance of his no. 7 shirt, his new role in his side’s attack and similarities with club and international teammates Benedikt Höwedes and Leon Goretzka.
DFB.de: When Schalke were drawn against SV Sandhausen back in October, did it stir any fond memories for you?
Meyer: No, why?
DFB.de: On 30th October 2012, FC Schalke faced Sandhausen in the second round of the DFB Cup in the only previous meeting between the two sides. A 17-year-old Max Meyer was called into the first team squad for the first time under Huub Steven…
Meyer (shocked): That’s right. I had completely forgotten about that.
DFB.de: How excited were you?
Meyer (laughs): When I think back, I was way too nervous. I had just turned 17. I was still in the U17s back then, or maybe just breaking into the U19s, though I had already trained a few times with the first team. To be in the squad for the game at the arena was a huge honour for me. Obviously I had thought about whether or not I would make a substitute appearance. That wasn’t the case that day, but to be there and experience it all was already amazing.
DFB.de: What memories do you have of that game?
Meyer: I think we won 3-0. Affelay scored one, Marica the other. I’m not sure who scored the third.
DFB.de: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the 79th minute.
Meyer: That’s right. At 2-0 I thought maybe I would get on. Soon afterwards I made my debut. But even warming up for the first time in front of the fans made me very, very nervous.
DFB.de: During your debut season you wore the number 29 shirt, but since 2013/14 you have worn number 7. Does the shirt carry any importance for you?
Meyer: Yes, because Raúl wore the shirt. After he left there was talk of the shirt being temporarily retired. When I heard from Horst Heldt that I would be receiving the shirt I was delighted. I’m very grateful to him for the faith he showed in me. My teammates were also surprised that the shirt was passed on so quickly. It was a big honour for me. Of course there is always a little pressure attached to it, but I didn’t let that get to me and didn’t give it much thought. I just tried to play football, and it worked pretty well.
DFB.de: You haven’t just inherited Raúl’s shirt, but also his position in Markus Weinzierl’s 3-5-2 system. How do you find this new role between the midfield and attack?
Meyer: It’s quite a bit different to the position I used to play in. I’m basically the first player to push forward, so I sprint a lot more than before. I have freedom so I can also drop deep. But now I am one of the furthest forward, whereas before I used to play more behind the ball. A few things have changed, but ultimately I still play centrally, which suits me well.
DFB.de: You’re playing further forward, yet you only have one goal to your name. Why is that?
Meyer: Because we’re creating fewer chances at the moment. I’ve not had that many clear-cut chances myself, though I definitely could have had one or two more. It’s not like I get into double figures every season though. However, it’s definitely my goal for the second half of the season to score more. It’s also important that I get assists and most importantly that the team scores more goals. We need to work on that, we simply create too few chances.
DFB.de: You have played in the DFB Cup six times. What is your most memorable moment as a child, fan or spectator?
Meyer: Watching the DFB Cup was always a special occasion. Even to listen to it on the radio. I think that’s even more exciting, because radio is always a lot more emotional. I can recall a few games, like when Alemannia Aachen beat Bayern München. I was a bit of a Bayern fan, but this underdog victory was really great. It was a crazy atmosphere and that really came across on television too. That probably wouldn’t happen these days.
DFB.de: And as a player?
Meyer: Easily my first cup match against Darmstadt. I scored my first goal for Schalke that game.
DFB.de: What are yours and your team’s ambitions going into the match in Sandhausen?
Meyer: Our aim is to progress to the next round. There are no ‘ifs and buts’ here. But it won’t be an easy task, even against a second division side. We are playing in Sandhausen where, despite intensive preparations, we go into the game not 100% sure what to expect. We know that anything can happen in the cup.
DFB.de: Schalke have won the DFB Cup five times, most recently in 2011. Is it about time S04 returned to Berlin?
Meyer: It is definitely the quickest way to win a trophy. That’s a fact. We have a chance to cause an upset. Obviously it’s difficult, as there are a lot of good teams who will want to be there too. Bayern, Dortmund and several others. It won’t be easy to win it, but our aim is to reach the final and enjoy the Berlin experience. But first we need to get past Sandhausen and then win two more games to reach the final.
DFB.de: Have you ever watched the final in the Olympiastadion?
Meyer: Twice. The final last year between Bayern and Dortmund, and the same fixture three years before that.
DFB.de: Do you get excited and start thinking about being there and experiencing it as a player yourself?
Meyer: Yes, of course. It’s a phenomenal atmosphere at the Olympiastadion, fans from one team on one side and the rest on the other. And you can win a trophy. To get to the final and win the DFB Cup is an incentive for every player.
DFB.de: Surely you wouldn’t mind the season being extended beyond the 27th May either, with the Confed Cup kicking off in the summer?
Meyer: Definitely. I’ve been called up to the national team a few times now, so of course it’s my goal to be there again. But I don’t make the decision. I try to do my best, both for my club and, when I’m invited, for my national team in training and games. I heard that some players, who have played a lot of games for the national team, will be rested and that some youngsters will be involved at the Confed Cup. Obviously I’d be delighted if I were called up.
DFB.de: Your teammates Benedikt Höwedes and Leon Goretzka are also part of the national team set up. What do the three of you have in common?
Meyer: We all come from the Ruhr district. Bene has been at Schalke forever, for me it’s already my eighth year here. We both came through the Knappenschmiede academy, went to the same school opposite (DFB Elite Football School Berger Feld) and now we have been playing together in the team for a few years already. I’ve known Leon for a long time from the national team, where we have played together since the U16s. I’ve actually known him since U11s when he was very small. I’ve been with him throughout his career; it’s followed a very similar path to mine. The higher the level we have reached, the more we have been able to play together. That has developed into a friendship. I hope that will continue for many more years.
DFB.de: Another friend of yours, and international teammate, now plays for Manchester City. Are you in contact with former Schalke colleague, Leroy Sane?
Meyer: We text every now and then, obviously not as often as before. For a long time we used to speak daily. That’s unfortunately not possible any more. But I’m pleased he has been playing more recently and also scoring. It’s not easy when you move to such a big club in another country-. You need time to get used to everything. I believe he has used the time well and is getting better and better. Everyone knows he has immense quality and I’m convinced he will prevail in the long run.
