Checking in with Marvin Compper

Marvin, what are you emotions after the 1-1 draw with Köln last Sunday?

On one hand I'm obviously disappointed about the result. But then I think the performance again showed that we've turned a corner in the last few weeks. Although we should have taken more points at home than we have managed so far this season, no question.

The result was the club's seventh consecutive draw at the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena. Can you explain that record?

It's certainly a very strange one. Just when we think we have the result sewn up, we go and do what we've done a lot this season and gift the opposition a point. But I still think our home record is pretty decent. We've only lost once at that was on matchday 4 against Bremen, and we've also managed to beat some of the top teams like Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Your goal against Köln was your first of the season, and you currently average a league goal every 23 games. Are you pleased with that return?

I'm not happy with it. I should be scoring a few more than that, but at least I still have time to improve before the end of the season (laughing).

Before the recent game with Bremen, Hoffenheim had gone over 100 set pieces without scoring. Under Markus Babbel, however, you've scored directly from two Sebastian Rudy corners. Are set pieces something you've been working especially hard on under the new coach?

We practice lots of different set piece situations. Set pieces are an important part of the modern game and they do bring you success in this league. Those two goals worked perfectly, but we haven't been dangerous enough from set pieces this season, there's no question of that. We do have some good technical players and guys who are strong in the air though. They're great for causing havoc in the opposition penalty area.

For the second game in a row, 1899 were denied a goal, this time from Boris Vukcevic. What was your view of that?

For me it was a clear goal. Boris was offside when Andreas Beck delivered the cross, but he wasn't active. When Firmino touched the ball, that began another phase of play and Boris was then onside, so the goal should have counted. But the officials have a difficult job, so I don't really blame them for that.

This weekend, you face a trip to Bayern Munich. What are you expecting when you walk out at the Allianz Arena?

Our goal is to get something from the game. We've learned a few things from their last two games against Basel and Leverkusen, but it's still going to be difficult game. Bayern are under some pressure at the moment, so we have to be prepared.

Bayern are likely to field David Alaba and Luiz Gustavo, two former players here at TSG. Are you still in contact with either of them?

Unfortunately not, no. But Penny (Peniel Mlapa) is and he tends to keep the rest of us up to date. David and Luiz are two great lads and both fantastic players who have bright futures ahead of them. I'm looking forward to seeing them.