Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Marco Fabian scored in Mexico's 4-1 defeat to Germany in last summer's FIFA Confederations Cup semi-finals. - © © gettyimages / FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Marco Fabian scored in Mexico's 4-1 defeat to Germany in last summer's FIFA Confederations Cup semi-finals. - © © gettyimages / FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Mexico star Marco Fabian relishing prospect of Germany rematch

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Mexico have been drawn against Germany in Group F of next summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia, and for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Marco Fabian, it represents a special chance for revenge.

bundesliga.com caught up with the midfield metronome to get his thoughts on the world champions and an update on his journey back from injury after four months on the sidelines…

- © gettyimages / Shaun Botterill

bundesliga.com: Mexico have been drawn in Group F alongside Germany, Sweden and South Korea. Is it special for you to play Germany in the first game?

Marco Fabian: It's very special for me because it's a country that has opened doors for me. As of this December I’ve lived here for two years now. It’s a special game for me and also for every Mexican, as it’s a chance for revenge after the Confederations Cup [Germany beat Mexico 4-1 in the semi-finals before lifting the trophy with victory over Chile in the final]. That game left us wanting a rematch, and what better opportunity than to have it at the World Cup?

bundesliga.com: How can Mexico beat this impressive Germany team?

Fabian: I’ve always thought that we have to think about ourselves, first. We have to concentrate on our own game. Of course we need to study their qualities, but we must work hard with our own qualities. We have to be focused.

bundesliga.com: And what about Sweden and South Korea? What do you think of them?

Fabian: They are big teams, strong teams that are playing very well. Sweden has very good players like Emil Forsberg, whom I know well because he plays for RB Leipzig, and they dumped Italy out of the competition. South Korea is a very fast team and you need a high level of concentration to succeed against them. In the World Cup there is no easy opponent. We must be smart and demand the best from ourselves.

bundesliga.com: You returned to training with Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday. How did that feel after spending four months on the sidelines?

Fabian: I’m very happy to be back. I already had 10 days working on the machines, but it was certainly a very special day being back out on the field, touching the ball, spending time with my teammates. I’m very excited because every day my return feels closer. I’m feeling good, recovering strength and stability and getting my touch back. I’m happy and can’t wait to play again.

bundesliga.com: What was it like being out for so long?

Fabian: This was the worst time in my career so far, but I also learned a lot. I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported me, like the doctors, the Mexico national team and Eintracht Frankfurt. I feel very fortunate to be fit again, and to think that’ll I’ll soon be back out there on the pitch playing. I’m looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga and then the World Cup in Russia.

bundesliga.com: When will you next play a Bundesliga game?

Fabian: I can tell you that in one or two weeks I’ll be medically discharged, but speaking with the coaching staff we’ve agreed that it’s not worth the pressure in trying to rush back before the winter break. They’d rather not risk me then, and it’s better for me to work towards full fitness. I’m not going to rest because I'll do the winter pre-season in Spain and then come back in mid-January ready for the second half of the season.

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