The 28 year old also knows though, that games against former clubs are worth just as many points as encounters with any other Bundesliga side. “Ultimately, the only things which interests me is scoring points. I, along with my teammates, will try to always give 100 percent, just as we would against any other opposition.” After recovering from a nasty knee injury, the attacker has grown into a new leadership role at Werder, which was one of the numerous reason why the Green-White management signed him in the summer. “Max has the added value of being able to immerse himself in many different things on the pitch,” said SVW head coach Alexander Nouri.

The man himself also doesn’t want to shy away from this special role; he likes the responsibility which he has adopted on and off the pitch. What's more, now that two crucial players in Clemens Fritz and Thomas Delaney will miss the Wolfsburg game, Kruse recognises the importance of compensating for these losses. “Of course I try to be a leader in every game and carry the team along. When important players like Clemens and Thomas miss out, everyone else has to make up for it, including me.” This is something he’ll certainly want to prove against his former employers on Friday evening.

In the last encounter between SV Werder and VfL Wolfsburg at the VOLKSWAGEN ARENA, Kruse scored twice for the home team. This time, he would obviously like to repeat his scoring heroics, but in different colours. “Scoring is always a good feeling,” says the striker, who has already netted four times this season, adding, “and then when you win, it’s an even better feeling.”