Rudy: “I will be cheering along with our fans”

Hello Sebastian. In December, you had your ankle operation. How is your rehabilitation going?

Everything went well and my recovery is going to plan. My rehab exercises have started and that means I can put the crutches to one side and return to the training facilities. Of course, for longer stretches of time on my feet I'll need them again. It looks like I'll have four exercises per day and as of today, I'm back retraining the muscles as well.

It's been two weeks since the turn of the year. What are your goals for 2013?

First and foremost, I want to be fit again and I'll do all I can, every day, to get there.

What are the reasons to suggest Hoffenheim can stay in the Bundesliga?

We worked really hard during the training camp. The atmosphere in the squad is good as well. We must be consistent on the field now and concentrate, something that Marco Kurz has helped us with. Apart from that, we've got to be united and not get distracted from our focus should things go badly in a game. If we can do that, we will definitely stay in the division.

Borussia Mönchengladbach are the opponents on Saturday at 15.30 CET in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena. What do you think of them?

The team aren't as strong as they were last year and the departure of Marco Reus to Dortmund is something they haven't compensated for. Despite that, they are a team that work hard without the ball and are technically strong too. It will be difficult for us but I firmly believe that we can win the game.

Will you be there on Saturday in the stadium?

Of course. I will be cheering along with our fans and encouraging my teammates. They will certainly give everything to get the three points though.

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