Ex-Dynamo Testroet: “Aue is a special club”

In an interview with Sächsische.de he talks about what makes the small Aue in the big football business, about pride, solidarity and the dream of the 1st Bundesliga.

Mr. Testroet, you have been with FC Erzgebirge for two and a half years and you are now on the cover of a book for the club’s double anniversary, the 75th club birthday today and the 500th second division game on Saturday. What do you think?

That makes me really proud to have left some lasting impressions during this time. There is also a page in the book that is dedicated to me: When we defeated Union Berlin, the only undefeated team in German professional football with 3-0 in December 2018 – and I scored all three goals.

On the book cover you scream out your joy, next to you Dimitrij Nazarov wants to hear the fans cheering with his gesture. Do you remember that scene?

I think it was in October 2019 when we beat Nürnberg 4-3 at home. When Dima (Nazarov, editor’s note) took the penalty to make it 1-1, I was right next to him, because I actually wanted to shoot him. Then we cheered together in front of our fans.

In your opinion, what makes FC Erzgebirge so special?

If you just take the city of Aue, we have fewer residents than spectators in the stadium. That’s explaining everything. We are, as they say, a small Gallic village that defends itself against the great with comparatively little means – and is becoming more successful from year to year. In Aue, what might happen in the future does not count, in Aue it is always the here and now and the moment in which you have to work that count. The club with all the people around it is a really conspiratorial bunch. So I’m all the more amazed at how well we coped without having to play our fans. That really makes a difference here. After two and a half years I can say: Aue is a special club.

What significance does FC Erzgebirge have for the region?

It’s immense. Everyone is proud to play in the second division. There are no fancies about wanting to play the Bundesliga and European Cup at some point. As I have just said: It is the here and now that counts – and staying up. If we stay in this season, and it looks good, we’ll be playing the 2nd Bundesliga for the fifth year in a row. At the moment we’re the only East German team in this league. Of course, from Aue you always look to the state capital Dresden, where everything takes place one size bigger. But here on site everyone still holds together that FC Erzgebirge is successful. That works wonderfully. Everyone knows what it’s about, in the team, in the club and around it. This association is everything for the region.

Is the little floodplain still underestimated?

I don’t think so anymore. For a long time it was all about fighting and kicking. Meanwhile, the opposing coaches are praising our style of play more and more. And our shift game in particular is one of the best in the league this season. And the stadium: If I remember the old one, in which I also played with Dynamo, the club’s infrastructure has developed tremendously. Gone are the days when the opponents thought they were going to knock Aue away in passing.

Then your decision to move from Dynamo to Aue in summer 2018 was exactly the right one?

The question is superfluous with a view to my quota for Aue: 47 goal participations in 84 games in the second division – there are only two or three players who have better odds. Back then it was a brave step that many did not expect. Our President Helge Leonhardt, who pushed the change back then, has a keen sense of this. And for me, Aue is of course worth gold, I was able to hammer my way into the second division and have become an important player. So it was definitely the right move.

It is not only with you that you get the impression that players who did not get along better elsewhere are suddenly regular players in Aue. Why is that?

As I have already said: It is the moment that counts and not what could be. In other associations, in society in general or in business, it’s often only about perspective and possible potential. So about what might be possible. Those in charge here, on the other hand, keep reminding us that only the here and now decides that we have to survive the current season. That’s why we have a relatively experienced team and have fought a few battles. We are the right team right now and we are a bit better than those with greater potential, but who will only be able to access that in the future.

Is it still allowed to dream in Aue? The Bundesliga has always been your declared goal.

Dreams are always allowed. They are part of life, anything else would be bad. Of course, it’s still my dream to play in the Bundesliga – especially when I see my quota in the past two and a half years with a team that is always said to be against relegation. I am very satisfied and happy in Aue. Since we want to win every game too, we would of course like to move up. But we know what our daily job is. You have seen this season that we are still a bit short of the absolute top team. We can annoy any opponent, especially at home, but sometimes we’re too weak away. We’re fine where we are. And we’re proud to play in the second division.

What are the chances of seeing Dynamo again next season?

Very large. If I can make it, I’ll watch every Dynamo game. I found the last 4-0 win against Ingolstadt really impressive. Still, I feel a little sorry for the boys. When I remember our promotion season five years ago: what a mood there was!

That’s actually the only difference, isn’t it?