Bundesliga
Reus: "I want to play an important role for Germany"
Marco Reus is hoping to play a similar role for Germany under new head coach Hansi Flick as he does for Borussia Dortmund at club level.
Reus withdrew himself from selection for this summer's UEFA Euro 2020, Germany's final major tournament under long-standing head coach Joachim Löw, with the 32-year-old citing an extreme schedule during the previous season with Dortmund and his past injury troubles as the reason behind his need for a summer of rest.
Now, though, refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to work under former Bayern Munich tactician Flick as he takes over from Löw, Reus - who has made 44 appearances for his country, scoring 11 goals - is keen to play an important role in a new era for Die Mannschaft.
"I'm one of the oldest and the captain of a club team," Reus told a press conference ahead of the first of three games across the next week for Germany. "I want to take on responsibility and play an important role here too.
"I had no thoughts of quitting," Reus, who last played at an international tournament at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, added. "So, it wasn't a big question that I should come here. We're now in the middle of a new start. I hope that we have a successful future. We want to get started well now and bring a breath of fresh air into it."
Four players - David Raum, Nico Schlotterbeck, Florian Wirtz and Karim Adeyemi - could make their international debuts this month, while the likes of Reus, Ridle Baku and Mahmoud Dahoud were all handed recalls.
It all falls into Flick's selection process which, Reus believes, is based around players who the 56-year-old former Germany assistant coach deems have the most ability, regardless of age.
"The idea of performance is being rewritten here," Reus said. "Hansi is known for using players who he sees the most quality in. Our goal is of course to give our all in these next three games and create new momentum, for our fans as well. It's important to have them behind us again. We need to deliver performances on the pitch for that though."
Reus and Germany get their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign underway on Thursday against Group J opponents Liechtenstein, before meeting Armenia and Iceland.