Speaking in the Borussia members magazine “FohlenEcho”, Stefan Lainer gives us deeper insight into his personality and what the best part of playing football is for him.
After missing almost the entire first half of the season with a broken ankle, Stefan Lainer is ready to put in shifts down that right flank once again. The 29-year-old is fired up for the new year after an up-and-down 2021.
Stevie, if you had to give 2021 a grade between A and F, what would it be?
Lainer: I would say it was just about a C for me personally. I would actually have given it a D, but after the European Championship with Austria, where we got our first ever EUROs win and made history by reaching the knockout stages, I have to give it a C. Without that, I would have been writing “satisfactory” on the report.
With the coronavirus pandemic, your broken ankle and a run of poor results, it could definitely have been a better year for you as a Borussia player.
Lainer: 2021 started well with the league wins against Bayern and Dortmund, but it dropped off after that. I certainly can’t be overly pleased with it, partly because we missed out on European qualification, and partly because of my injury. It wasn’t the most thrilling of years, not least because of the setbacks we’ve suffered as a team, like our poor run at the start of the year and the recent heavy defeats against Köln, Freiburg and Leipzig.
What are your hopes for 2022?
Lainer: The most important thing is health and that the corona situation stabilises again – I think we all wish for that. Personally, I hope that my foot is able to withstand any kind of strain again. On a sporting front, I hope that Borussia can make up ground in the table and that we can up our game so that we can achieve our goals.
You’re well known for pushing yourself to the limit on the pitch. What was it like for you in rehab?
Lainer: That certainly helped me complete my rehab and my comeback in a relatively short time. I can’t imagine that it could have gone much quicker. I pushed myself early on in rehab doing exercises for my foot and going to my limits rather than resting it for a few weeks first. I went to hell and back pain wise – I would be soaked through with sweat after some treatments where I was just sitting on the massage table, but I said to myself that I have to push through, otherwise the rehab will just take even longer. It was hard for me at the end to hold back and manage the strain for my foot. Ideally, I would have just jumped straight back in at the deep end.
Are you happy with your label as a player with this terrier like mentality, or do you feel like some of your other traits are overlooked as a result?
Lainer: Well, I think generally as a professional footballer in the Bundesliga, you have to have a bit of everything. I don’t think there is a player in the division that really has major weaknesses. I think that my doggedness is something that stands out and that mindset has worked for me during my career. But that doesn’t mean that I’m any less of a technically gifted player. You have to be good on the ball first and foremost – that’s a prerequisite.
Players with your mindset are typically very popular with the fans. Do you feel that love from the Borussia supporters?
Lainer: Absolutely, both in the stadium and away from it. It’s not like I make the difference in every game. I have bad days too and have made mistakes that have led to goals. It’s at moments like that where you really feel the support. Fans are willing to forgive those things because they know that you’re always trying to give your all. Perhaps it’s because I’m not active on social media and people can’t send me horrible messages. But in all seriousness, I really do feel that backing from the fans which motivates me even more to keep on giving my all in every game for Borussia.
Football is first and foremost a game that should be fun. Do you feel as though it’s more about hard work for you?
Lainer: I would say so. I enjoy myself by working hard, running hard and fighting hard. If the game is going well, then it’s fun, but you have to put the work in first – that’s always the initial focus. When the game is going well, you’re always going to enjoy it. If you go into the match with the mindset that you just want to have fun, then it’s going to be difficult.
What would you say it’s like to play against Stefan Lainer?
Lainer: Probably not all that relaxing. I’m not a trash talker though and don’t try to provoke my opponent. I don’t really moan that much out on the pitch either. I love hard tackling football, but I can’t remember ever having committed a cynical foul. I always try to win the ball. Sometimes you can be a little late of course. Football should by physical, but always fair.
What goes through your mind when you pull on the jersey?
Lainer: It’s like flicking a switch once I’m out on the pitch and the referee blows the whistle. I need that too mentally so that I get into game mode. It’s a little like a boxer, who is a nice guy away from the ring, but once that bell rings, he sees red. Although, as a Borussia player, I of course see green.
