She’s back: Leonie Maier made her comeback last weekend for Bayern Munich’s second team in the 2. Bundesliga South after seven months out with a ruptured cruciate ligament. In her interview with DFB.de, the 22-year-old spoke about her comeback.
At the same time, the defensive specialist is looking forward to the upcoming challenges. On Saturday (kick-off 11:45 CEST, live on Eurosport and DFB-TV), the top game of the weekend in the women’s Bundesliga will be at the Allianz Arena as FC Bayern take on SC Sand.
DFB.de: Mrs Maier, how did it feel to be able to take part in a competitive game after being out injured for seven months?
Leonie Maier: It was incredible. It’s hard to sum up in a few words. Ultimately, it was the culmination of the rehab that went perfectly. I’d like to thank everyone that has helped me get back on track: my surgeon Dr. Richter, the VfB rehab-team, my rehab trainer in Munich and my family. When I was substituted after 57 minutes I had goosebumps. But obviously they went quickly. After a few minutes, it was only the game that mattered. Unfortunately, the game against Crailsheim finished 2-2. It was annoying but for me it was a lot more important that I was back playing again.
DFB.de: Did the comeback come as a surprise?
Maier: No, not really. I’ve been back training fully for a few weeks and I have noticed that I’m improving with every session. I’m not quite fully 100% but I’m on the right track.
DFB.de: How did you feel the day after?
Maier: Amazing. I had absolutely no stiffness in my muscles or any other problems. I even felt that good that I began training again with the first team on a Monday.
DFB.de: On Saturday, you play against SC Sand in the women’s Bundesliga at the Allianz Arena. Is it possible that you might be back in the squad?
Maier: I don’t really want to look that far ahead. I’ll discuss it will my rehab trainer and my manager Thomas Wörle after this week at training. Obviously I’m eager to get back in the squad. But I’ve been out for so long and it could be a week too soon. I’ve also learnt that I’ve got to be patient.
DFB.de: What do you think of SC Sand?
Maier: They’re a very dangerous and good opponent. We’ll do well not to underestimate our opponents. But I don’t expect that that’ll happen. Our team is making a good impression on me at the moment.
DFB.de: You recently beat Turbine Potsdam 1-0. FC Bayern Munich sit in second place after seven games. A dream start?
Maier: Yes, of course. In my opinion, that wasn’t foreseeable. We had a few personnel problems. Lena Lotzen has also torn her cruciate ligament. There was a huge change over the summer. But we have come together as a team extremely quickly. And so far so good- we’re still unbeaten. I’m unbelievably proud of my team and happy to be a part of it.
DFB.de: Do you worry that due to the success, there’s no reason for Thomas Wörle to change the team? Do you think you’ll have to wait a bit?
Maier: As I said, if I have to do so then it’s no problem for me. I’m happy for my teammates that they’re having such a great time on the pitch at the moment. We are a unit. And I’m convinced that I’ll come back into the team when I’m fit enough. I give everything in every training session and think that the growing competition for places will bring us on even further.
DFB.de: Do you also have next year’s World Cup in Canada in your sights?
Maier: Obviously it’s my aim to be there and I’ll do everything I can to do that. First of all though, I’d like to continue to work in order to get back playing for FC Bayern on a regular basis.
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She’s back: Leonie Maier made her comeback last weekend for Bayern Munich’s second team in the 2. Bundesliga South after seven months out with a ruptured cruciate ligament. In her interview with DFB.de, the 22-year-old spoke about her comeback.
At the same time, the defensive specialist is looking forward to the upcoming challenges. On Saturday (kick-off 11:45 CEST, live on Eurosport and DFB-TV), the top game of the weekend in the women’s Bundesliga will be at the Allianz Arena as FC Bayern take on SC Sand.
DFB.de: Mrs Maier, how did it feel to be able to take part in a competitive game after being out injured for seven months?
Leonie Maier: It was incredible. It’s hard to sum up in a few words. Ultimately, it was the culmination of the rehab that went perfectly. I’d like to thank everyone that has helped me get back on track: my surgeon Dr. Richter, the VfB rehab-team, my rehab trainer in Munich and my family. When I was substituted after 57 minutes I had goosebumps. But obviously they went quickly. After a few minutes, it was only the game that mattered. Unfortunately, the game against Crailsheim finished 2-2. It was annoying but for me it was a lot more important that I was back playing again.
DFB.de: Did the comeback come as a surprise?
Maier: No, not really. I’ve been back training fully for a few weeks and I have noticed that I’m improving with every session. I’m not quite fully 100% but I’m on the right track.
DFB.de: How did you feel the day after?
Maier: Amazing. I had absolutely no stiffness in my muscles or any other problems. I even felt that good that I began training again with the first team on a Monday.
DFB.de: On Saturday, you play against SC Sand in the women’s Bundesliga at the Allianz Arena. Is it possible that you might be back in the squad?
Maier: I don’t really want to look that far ahead. I’ll discuss it will my rehab trainer and my manager Thomas Wörle after this week at training. Obviously I’m eager to get back in the squad. But I’ve been out for so long and it could be a week too soon. I’ve also learnt that I’ve got to be patient.
DFB.de: What do you think of SC Sand?
Maier: They’re a very dangerous and good opponent. We’ll do well not to underestimate our opponents. But I don’t expect that that’ll happen. Our team is making a good impression on me at the moment.
DFB.de: You recently beat Turbine Potsdam 1-0. FC Bayern Munich sit in second place after seven games. A dream start?
Maier: Yes, of course. In my opinion, that wasn’t foreseeable. We had a few personnel problems. Lena Lotzen has also torn her cruciate ligament. There was a huge change over the summer. But we have come together as a team extremely quickly. And so far so good- we’re still unbeaten. I’m unbelievably proud of my team and happy to be a part of it.
DFB.de: Do you worry that due to the success, there’s no reason for Thomas Wörle to change the team? Do you think you’ll have to wait a bit?
Maier: As I said, if I have to do so then it’s no problem for me. I’m happy for my teammates that they’re having such a great time on the pitch at the moment. We are a unit. And I’m convinced that I’ll come back into the team when I’m fit enough. I give everything in every training session and think that the growing competition for places will bring us on even further.
DFB.de: Do you also have next year’s World Cup in Canada in your sights?
Maier: Obviously it’s my aim to be there and I’ll do everything I can to do that. First of all though, I’d like to continue to work in order to get back playing for FC Bayern on a regular basis.
