DFB: Reus announces leadership claims

Marco Reus claims leadership in the national team. “If you’re one of the oldest players here, if you’re the captain in the club, then you have to go ahead in the national team and pull the boys along,” said the captain of German runner-up Borussia Dortmund in a kicker interview.

The 30-year-old is the oldest field player in the squad for the European Championship qualifying matches on Saturday in Belarus and three days later in Mainz against Estonia (both 20.45 in the LIVETICKER). He wants to be “there for the younger players, even if it doesn’t work out that way”.

Despite the strong competition for the three places in the attack, Reus sees himself in the role of the regular player: “It is not my claim to come from the bench. I’m at an age where I can help the team both playfully and in terms of my experience.”

Due to numerous injuries, the BVB star only managed 39 international matches (ten goals). “That should have been a lot more,” Reus said. In Belarus, number 40 should follow.

“Marco is a player where you can see the difference when he’s healthy and fun to play with his ease. As a coach it’s always fun to watch,” said Marcus Sorg, the national coach Joachim Löw (artery contusion) as head of the team.