With the right to play a second game in Dassendorf
©Maurice Herzog
Max Kruse doesn’t yet feel fit enough for a full-time debut at TuS Dassendorf in the 5th league. “As of today, I would say: It’s not enough for 90 minutes in the Oberliga,” said the 37-year-old on “RTL/Ntv”. Kruse ended his professional career in November 2023 with SC Paderborn in the 2nd league. He has been playing for the Berlin district league team BSV Dersim 1993 II since April 2024 – and in the future also for Dassendorf.
“The right to play a second game is possible because there is a distance of 200 kilometers and we play with Dersim in the district league,” said Kruse. “I’m trying to combine it a bit. Whether I can play two games every weekend remains to be seen.”
After his commitment to Dassendorf was clear, he trained a little more, Kruse said: “Especially on vacation, now over Christmas and New Year, I went running a lot to improve my fitness level a little.” As a footballer, you know that everything comes from training and games. “We now have just under two to three weeks until the start of the season in the league and I will use the time to get as fit as I can,” emphasized the 14-time national player.
At his new club, Kruse will play with his friend Martin Harnik (38), who has been working for Dassendorf since October 2020. Both played together in their youth for the Hamburg suburban club SC Vier- und Marschlande, from which they moved to SV Werder Bremen in January 2006, where they became professionals.
Harnik’s words as a challenge for Kruse
“Martin was always of the opinion that I wasn’t fit enough for Dassendorf. It triggered me and that’s why I thought: New Year’s resolutions, why not?” Kruse now explained. “It just excites me to play at this level again. That’s why I thought I’d just accept the challenge and whether it works in the end and how often I’m actually there, we’ll see.”
However, he will only return to the team with a further delay after his presentation on Monday. He has a few appointments, explained Kruse. Next week he will be in training camp with his other team. “From January 19th, I’ll definitely be at every training session for the last two weeks before the start of the season. Then we’ll see if it’s enough for the squad.”
Kruse played over 300 games for various clubs in the Bundesliga. He was also briefly active for the traditional Istanbul club Fenerbahce in Turkey. Kruse also gained experience in the Hamburg Oberliga: In 2010, Kruse played one game for FC St. Pauli’s second team, including two assists (to the match report).