Tarik Elyounoussi: “Competition is healthy”

Hello, Tarik. Tell us about your first competitive goal for TSG.

Tarik Elyounoussi: It was about time (laughs). It was nice to score, to win and to go through. I didn't even realise that it was my first competitive goal during the match, only afterwards. For me, it's all about improving and helping the team – that's more important than anything. I obviously hope that I can score a few more times than I did last season.

The task on Saturday against Augsburg will be much bigger…

Elyounoussi: Of course it'll be more difficult to win against Augsburg. The Bundesliga is getting underway and with that comes a lot of anticipation, excitement and attention. The fans will be right behind. It's going to be great. We're fully focused on our performance and we want to put what we've been working on in pre-season into practice. We've trained well as a team, won nearly all of our friendlies and are starting the season with a lot of confidence. I'm optimistic. We're desperate to start the season with a home win.

Augsburg recently lost in the DFB Cup first round. What implications does that have for the match?

Elyounoussi: They'll really be up for it. A lot of negativity bears down on a team after a defeat like that. The best way, and maybe the only way to bounce back from that is to win your next match, and that will be against us on Saturday. They'll also want to show their fans that the cup defeat was only a slip-up. I think them losing actually makes it harder for us.

The TSG squad has been strengthened ahead the start of the season. How have the new players settled in?

Elyounoussi: I think that they fit in really well here. The team and the whole club make it easy for new players to come here, which is what I experienced last year. We have a fantastic group with some great personalities. Being so well accepted helps you a lot in terms of performing to a good level quickly.

Has a real competitiveness developed in training because of the new signings?

Elyounoussi: Of course. Everyone has to work even harder for their place. That's good for the team. Everyone has to give their all in every training session, which in turn increases the quality in training and it's healthy for the squad. But at the same time, it hasn't changed our team spirit.

There are plenty of pictures on social media of TSG players spending time together outside the footballing environment. How would you describe the togetherness in the team?

Elyounoussi: It's really good and that's important. Everyone fights for their place in the team, but whether it's in the changing room, at dinner in the evening or at the cinema, we're just a bunch of lads who get along really well. It also helps on the pitch when you know someone on a more personal level. Alongside trusting the sporting ability of others, there comes another, more personal form of trust.

You're going into your second season at Hoffenheim. How have you developed since your arrival here last summer?

Elyounoussi: I've gotten used to lots of things and gained a lot of experience. The transfer from the Norwegian league to the Bundesliga was a big step for me to take. I had to do a lot of listening and observing – just learning in general. Now I'm composed and confident. I know what to expect and I also had a good pre-season. The day-to-day routine comes naturally to me now. I believe that I've developed as a footballer, but I've also taken a big step mentally.

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