Christian Clemens: "It'll be an open game"

Christian, you were on loan at Mainz for one and half years before signing a three-year contract. What has changed for you since then?

Christian Clemens: Not much to be honest. Perhaps now I have a bit more planning security. I've always said that I would like to stay in Mainz. The solidarity within the team is great, their style of play suits me and I feel very much at home in the city. I'm delighted to be here now and am looking forward to an exciting season in the Europa League and the Bundesliga.

You have continued your development under manager Martin Schmidt. What has his influence on you been like?

Clemens: He is very communicative and is always able to fire up my passion and excitement. On top of that, the type of football that Martin Schmidt wants to play, from a solid defence to quick transitions into attack, really suits my game. It allows me to utilise my pace.

You qualified for the Europa League last season. What are your goals this year?

Clemens: We are really looking forward to the upcoming games. We will face two European top clubs with lots of tradition in the form of in Anderlecht and St. Etienne. Qäbälä will be a bit of an adventure and we are all very excited for that too. For us, it's all a bonus. Our main concern is obviously the Bundesliga and distancing ourselves from the relegation battle. Nevertheless, we want to showcase ourselves well in Europe.

Speaking of the Europa League, which starts on Thursday, are you already thinking about that match or is your focus completely on TSG?

Clemens: First we will focus on the game on Sunday against TSG. It will be a challenging task for us. I will start thinking about St. Etienne on Monday.

Let's get back to the Bundesliga. You suffered a narrow loss in Dortmund, but were you able to take something from that game?

Clemens: A lot of the things we had worked on, we managed to reproduce on the pitch, and we gave a good account of ourselves at one of the title favourites. There was certainly more in it for us that day, but in the end the more effective team won.

TSG will come to Mainz on Sunday. How do you rate Hoffenheim?

Clemens: Games between Mainz 05 and Hoffenheim have often produced many goals and I think that we will also see an open game on Sunday, with lot of running from both sides. Hopefully there will be a positive outcome for us.

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