Interview
Marcel Sabitzer – all-rounder and leader
Kevin Grosskreutz did it back in 2013. And promptly conceded a penalty against Hoffenheim. Jan Koller has done it. And because he did such an outstanding job of it in Munich, he was even named in Team of the Day by kicker back in 2002. Marcel Sabitzer has not yet reached the same level as these illustrious former Black & Yellows, who were each called up to don the gloves after the goalkeeper was sent off (Roman Weidenfeller and Jens Lehmann respectively). But the Austrian has played every position in his career "except centre-back and goalkeeper", so it is not out of the question that he will one day stand between the sticks. "Maybe I'm a bit lacking in stature," says the Dortmund all-rounder (1.78 metres tall) with a touch of irony, adding "but then I'll just stand on my tiptoes."
Sabi, as his team-mates and coaches call him, generates more than a few laughs in a conversation that is very different to some of the ones he must have had in previous years. An Austrian magazine once characterised him as a guy you couldn't sit in a café and chat aimlessly with for three hours. Instead they described him as "Someone who pops round for 15 minutes and quickly sorts out everything that needs to be done". During our photo shoot, he gladly fulfils every wish of club photographer Hendrik Deckers, and proves an informative and cheerful interview partner.
Sabi, are you Borussia Dortmund's answer to Bastian Schweinsteiger?
Why's that?
Schweinsteiger started his career as an attacking player and was remodelled as a defensive midfielder by coach Louis van Gaal.
There are certainly parallels as far as making the switch from playing high up the park to playing further back are concerned. In general, I'm very open-minded when it comes to my position. In the national team I play on the left wing, in Dortmund in the six, eight or ten role, in Munich even right or left-back - that's all okay for me. Being able to play in lots of different positions and having flexibility is a sign of strength. It suits my personality and my style of play.
In the transfer announcement when you moved to Bayern in 2021 you were described as an "attacking all-rounder with a powerful shot". In Dortmund, you've had to demonstrate different qualities in acting as a link between defence and attack. Did you have to reinvent yourself at BVB?
No, not at all. I knew what was expected of me. And I could find myself within that, otherwise I wouldn't have signed for Dortmund. I didn't have to reinvent myself, I just had to adapt a little.
The easiest way to describe Marcel Sabitzer is as a central all-rounder, with "strengths in all phases and at all levels of the game", as Edin Terzic once categorised him. Sabitzer has a keen instinct for when it's time to either drop the pace of the game or speed it up. When to hold up the ball, play it forward vertically or shift it across the park. The 30-year-old's qualities are allowed to flourish best in a central position, from where he can also pose a goal threat, whether it be directly or indirectly. His scanning of the pitch allows him to always stay one step ahead and play one-touch football. Sabitzer is extremely crafty and skilful - and his solid positional sense means he always has a key role to play in build-up and progression up the pitch. He earns acclaim for the way he plays with a distinctive flourish yet always adheres precisely to tactical instructions. The fact that he always pushes himself to the limit, has a healthy level of aggression and toughness and can anticipate play well also makes him a solid option in the number-six role, which requires strength in the tackle and physical assertiveness. In his time on the books at Borussia Dortmund thus far, there is one area in which Sabitzer still has room for improvement: popping up in the opposition area more often and scoring more goals.
Box-to-box players have to fulfil a complex set of demands: making sure to snuff out danger at the back, getting forward a lot, linking the different parts of the team together, clocking up plenty of kilometres. Is that about right?
I have to be equally involved in offensive and defensive actions. Communication and leadership should also be mentioned in this context. Basically, this role corresponds exactly to the way I perceive myself: I want to run a lot, and run hard, and so it's the right position. I'm also quite good with the ball and I'm not afraid to do some dirty work.
People say that you have everything in your footballing toolbox, but only take out what is absolutely necessary. In other words, you're not perceived as someone who performs tricks to wow the gallery, but rather because the situation demands it. Often the right decisions at important moments aren't particularly spectacular. Is that your personal motto?
The hardest thing in football is to keep it simple and make the right decisions at the right time. I started to organise my game exactly according to this early on. Maybe that's why it doesn't necessarily look spectacular. But anyone who observes me closely and has a clue will see that I do a lot of important things. Things that are necessary at the moment.
This role also demands a certain basic aggression from you - and the willingness to get stuck into challenges and be a bit nasty. But that wasn't always your thing. I hear you were quite weepy as a child...
Yes, as a child I really was a bit anxious and whiny. I was scared of doctors and complained a lot. Now I've got better at managing these fears and aches and pains (laughs). I've got older and calmer and have made some good progress.
What made you want to move to Dortmund?
It was clear to me that I wanted to change. The only question was where the journey should take me. Of course, there were also family considerations, but at the end of the day I made the decision: this is what we're doing, it feels right. And then everything happened very quickly, and within 48 hours I was in San Diego via Munich, Dortmund and Munich again, where Borussia were on tour in the US.
People say that you are grumpy for days after a defeat. Is it best to just avoid you?
You can tell how I'm feeling at any given moment - and it's best to leave me alone. I can't put on an act for anyone. I am who I am: I react very emotionally when I lose games. I try to control my emotions and channel them properly. But there are situations in training and games where I find that difficult. Then you have to reflect, calm down and have the right people around you.
Your youth coach in Graz, Reinhard Holzschuster, claims that even defeats in training caused you "almost physical pain". Are you, as someone once wrote, "over-ambitious"?
There were certainly phases when that was true. I've now realised that no team wins every game. No team in the world has ever managed that. That's why I can categorise it correctly. Nevertheless, the how or why of a defeat upsets me and makes me emotional.
Franco Foda, Austria's national team coach from 2017 to 2022, says: "Sabi could be a bit more relaxed." Does your determination rob you of energy that could be put to better use?
I wouldn't say that. Sometimes I need moments that spur me on even more and squeeze even more motivation out of me. But it can't get extreme sometimes too, then I have to concentrate on the essentials and not get distracted. I manage that well. I used to drag a defeat around with me, but now I put it behind me more quickly. When it's family time, football takes a break. It's a very good balance for me.
How satisfied were you with your start at BVB?
My performances in the first half of the season were up and down, sometimes better, sometimes not so good. Minor injuries certainly played a role. But that shouldn't be an excuse: I always try to reach peak performance, but it doesn't always happen. Nevertheless, that is my ambition. That's why I wasn't satisfied with some of my games. I try to be consistent and I've been doing quite well in the 2024 calendar year.
You've had more and more influence on the game, the form curve is clearly pointing upwards. To what extent is this personal upturn linked to the tactical adjustments that were made in January?
My positioning changed a bit, I started to see more of the ball and I was on the pitch every minute until the game in Bremen. I need that for my match rhythm. When I have this rhythm, when I feel confidence and have a clear role, that's when I'm at my best. It's always getting better, of course, but it felt good until Bremen.
In the Weser Stadium - in his 205th Bundesliga match - Marcel Sabitzer received his first ever red card. "The red card is okay in terms of the rules, but not in terms of football," said team-mate Niclas Füllkrug, commenting on the decision by referee Deniz Aytekin, who himself said: "Marcel never wants that in his life." The situation occurred in first-half injury time. Sabitzer tried to win back a loose ball in Bremen's half of the pitch, he slipped and hit Mitchell Weiser's heel with the toe of his boot instead of the ball. A clear foul, no question. Sabitzer immediately raised both hands and apologised to the Bremen player with this gesture. "It was very fair behaviour for him to show such consideration," said referee Aytekin. However, neither the DFB review committee nor the sports tribunal were willing to be lenient. They gave Sabitzer the obligatory two-match ban.
What is your personal plan for the coming season - more goals and assists?
Of course, that's the perception from the outside. But you have to consider the position: If you're the sole six-man or part of a double six, you won't appear too far forward. I'm more interested in winning the ball and immediately following up with the decisive pass.
In a friendly match with Bayern in July 2023 against Rottach-Egern, you scored five goals in 23 minutes. Do you miss getting on the scoresheet so often?
That was my farewell game with Bayern. I don't even know why they gave me away afterwards (laughs). It was pretty hot, we'd trained hard and not everyone was really up for the game. I came on at the start of the second half and scored five goals in a row. It was all there: including a backheel and a chip over the keeper.
What else can that mean for BVB?
I'm dangerous, can score goals, have a good finish and a good nose for goal. I want to prove that in Dortmund too.
Your father, Herfried, was also a footballer - and won six caps for Austria. What did he pass on to you for your career?
He didn't have to explain that much to me. I was always close by and observed a lot. From my point of view, it was very interesting to experience the inner workings of a dressing room and see training sessions up close. After that, it was clear to me that I wanted to make it to this level. At some point, I reached the stage where my father took over as my youth coach, and that wasn't always easy.
In what way?
It's no easy thing being the coach's son. My father was very strict, very direct - but also convinced of me. He saw the potential in me. Then later it was a question of him learning to let go. Of course you don't want to let your child off the leash so easily. But then he accepted that I had built a team around me. A team in which he only played a secondary role. Of course, he played his part in my career. And he gave me the footballing genes.
You once described your father as having a 50:50 mentality. What did you mean by that?
My father was always a hard worker and always gave everything for his teams on the pitch. His problem was related to his attitude: he got distracted a lot off the pitch. When things were going well for him, he liked to slack off afterwards. I'm sure he agrees with me: he could have achieved more.
Does he accompany your career today, either in giving advice or offering up criticism?
My dad is still involved in coaching at amateur level, and sometimes our schedules overlap. But when he can, he comes to watch my games. We also speak on the phone a lot.
What did your parents think of the fact that you were more focused on making it as a footballer than getting good grades from an early age?
I was actually convinced early on that I would make it as a footballer. And now I'm sitting here, so I was right. There was always a conflict at home. My mum pushed me to do better at school, while my dad reassured me: "We'll manage just fine".
Your former coach at Leipzig, Ralph Hasenhüttl, once claimed that you are a "stubborn Styrian" - does that help when you're in a position of responsibility, or is it more of a hindrance?
I'm not stubborn, not by any means. Maybe in my younger years, there were some signs of it, but not today. If I do, I have an opinion that can be discussed. But I'm not someone who allows no other opinion. I accept, I listen and then form my own opinion. Nobody falls on deaf ears with me - I'm open to any dialogue. For me, it's important that things are clarified and that we can look each other in the eye. If there's been a row, you talk about it, shake hands and then the matter is over.