Picking up the ball in some open space, a quick look up and an ideal pass through to the forward – that is Erik Majetschak’s game in a nutshell. The RB Leipzig midfielder is one of the creative sparks in the Germany U17 team and is one of a variety of talented attacking options available to head coach Christian Wück for the U17 EURO 2017 tournament. As a team they are always looking for ways through their oppositions, always dangerous in front of goal, and all built on a stable defensive setup.
Majetschak spoke to
DFB.de about the first few days in Croatia, the opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina (12:00 CEST on Thursday) and the strengths of the U17 team, as well as discussing his admiration for Toni Kroos.
DFB.de: Mr. Majetschack, you and the U17 team have been in Croatia since Sunday – what are your first impressions of the host nation of the U17 EURO 2017?
Erik Majetschak: The first impressions are definitely very good. From the bus journey from the airport to the team hotel or training, we have already got to know the place a little, but of course our focus has to sit mostly in the sporting aspect. Yesterday we trained in HNK Rijeka’s old stadium, which sits in between rock faces; certainly an impressive backdrop. The pitch was also very good. We are focused on our task and are excited to get going.
DFB.de: The team has been doing a lot of work on passing play in training – what have you made of the early sessions in Croatia?
Majetschak: After a bit of time off and the travelling, we have increased the intensity levels. From there we have been getting sharper. We want to play quickly and with precision in our passing and in doing so play to our strengths and remain one step ahead of our opponents. In that regard it is important to approach every pass with maximum concentration.
DFB.de: It is a first game in the European Championships for every player in the team. How are you settling into things?
Majetschak: Of course, to play in a EUROs match is something very special for all of us. We want to take everything we can from the experience, from the first minute to the last. It is a bigger tournament than any of us have previously competed in. For example, on Monday we took the official team photos for UEFA and got our official tournament print on our DFB shirts – these kinds of things are special moments to experience for the first time, and our games are being broadcast live on international television. For us, that means that family and friends at home will be able to tune in, which spurs you on even more for every game. Our first aim is to qualify as group winners.
DFB.de: What is the greatest strength of this U17 squad?
Majetschak: Our strength is in our going forward. We have a lot of quality in our attacking play and our always capable of out-scoring our opponents.
DFB.de: How would you describe your style of play?
Majetschak: I look to play decisive passes and create a lot of chances for our forwards. Outside of that, I can be a danger in and around the goal, too. My main aim is to help the team with goals and assists. A player who I would like to emulate is Toni Kroos. His use of the ball, his passing and his in-game intelligence are all things from which I can learn an huge amount.
DFB.de: Are there any particular areas of your game that you are looking to further develop?
Majetschak: With the club I am currently working on my duels and my aggression level in battles for the ball. I play mostly quite centrally for RB Leipzig, I want to be a valuable asset both on and off the ball.
DFB.de: You have two club colleagues with you in the U17 team in the form of Kilian Ludeqig and Elias Abouchabaka. How are things between you all?
Majetschak: The team spirit with the national team is outstanding. Of course it helps when you have a few club colleagues here and there but we get on very well across the board.
DFB.de: On Thursday you are set to meet Bosnia-Herzegovina. What do you expect from the opposition?
Majetschak: The coach will prepare us exactly for what is ahead of us. By memory, Bosnia-Herzegovina play a robust and physical game. We expect it to be tough, but we want to focus more on ourselves and our own strengths. We want to get the competition off to a winning start.
Picking up the ball in some open space, a quick look up and an ideal pass through to the forward – that is Erik Majetschak’s game in a nutshell. The RB Leipzig midfielder is one of the creative sparks in the Germany U17 team and is one of a variety of talented attacking options available to head coach Christian Wück for the U17 EURO 2017 tournament. As a team they are always looking for ways through their oppositions, always dangerous in front of goal, and all built on a stable defensive setup.
Majetschak spoke to
DFB.de about the first few days in Croatia, the opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina (12:00 CEST on Thursday) and the strengths of the U17 team, as well as discussing his admiration for Toni Kroos.
DFB.de: Mr. Majetschack, you and the U17 team have been in Croatia since Sunday – what are your first impressions of the host nation of the U17 EURO 2017?
Erik Majetschak: The first impressions are definitely very good. From the bus journey from the airport to the team hotel or training, we have already got to know the place a little, but of course our focus has to sit mostly in the sporting aspect. Yesterday we trained in HNK Rijeka’s old stadium, which sits in between rock faces; certainly an impressive backdrop. The pitch was also very good. We are focused on our task and are excited to get going.
DFB.de: The team has been doing a lot of work on passing play in training – what have you made of the early sessions in Croatia?
Majetschak: After a bit of time off and the travelling, we have increased the intensity levels. From there we have been getting sharper. We want to play quickly and with precision in our passing and in doing so play to our strengths and remain one step ahead of our opponents. In that regard it is important to approach every pass with maximum concentration.
DFB.de: It is a first game in the European Championships for every player in the team. How are you settling into things?
Majetschak: Of course, to play in a EUROs match is something very special for all of us. We want to take everything we can from the experience, from the first minute to the last. It is a bigger tournament than any of us have previously competed in. For example, on Monday we took the official team photos for UEFA and got our official tournament print on our DFB shirts – these kinds of things are special moments to experience for the first time, and our games are being broadcast live on international television. For us, that means that family and friends at home will be able to tune in, which spurs you on even more for every game. Our first aim is to qualify as group winners.
DFB.de: What is the greatest strength of this U17 squad?
Majetschak: Our strength is in our going forward. We have a lot of quality in our attacking play and our always capable of out-scoring our opponents.
DFB.de: How would you describe your style of play?
Majetschak: I look to play decisive passes and create a lot of chances for our forwards. Outside of that, I can be a danger in and around the goal, too. My main aim is to help the team with goals and assists. A player who I would like to emulate is Toni Kroos. His use of the ball, his passing and his in-game intelligence are all things from which I can learn an huge amount.
DFB.de: Are there any particular areas of your game that you are looking to further develop?
Majetschak: With the club I am currently working on my duels and my aggression level in battles for the ball. I play mostly quite centrally for RB Leipzig, I want to be a valuable asset both on and off the ball.
DFB.de: You have two club colleagues with you in the U17 team in the form of Kilian Ludeqig and Elias Abouchabaka. How are things between you all?
Majetschak: The team spirit with the national team is outstanding. Of course it helps when you have a few club colleagues here and there but we get on very well across the board.
DFB.de: On Thursday you are set to meet Bosnia-Herzegovina. What do you expect from the opposition?
Majetschak: The coach will prepare us exactly for what is ahead of us. By memory, Bosnia-Herzegovina play a robust and physical game. We expect it to be tough, but we want to focus more on ourselves and our own strengths. We want to get the competition off to a winning start.
