Kevin Vogt: “I’m really fired up for the match against Köln”

Kevin, let’s quickly cast our minds back to the last match. What will you take with you going into the next game after the win at Leverkusen?

Kevin Vogt: I and the rest of the team came out of this match feeling really happy and full of confidence. The early red card obviously helped us but in this kind of game and against a strong opposition, you really have to concentrate and put in a controlled performance. We did that well and played some very intelligent football. Winning makes you want to win even more and I’m looking forward to our next few games.

Next up, you take on FC Köln in the DFB Cup, where you were as a player for two years. What should TSG be expecting on Wednesday evening at the RheinEnergieStadion?

Vogt: It will be a lively game, that much is clear. The stadium is very imposing and it’s the fans that make it that way. There will be a fiery atmosphere and it will be very loud, but we are ready for that.

The nucleus of the team have stayed together at Köln. Since you know a lot of players there, can you give some extra help to Julian Nagelsmann and the team?

Vogt: Julian Nagelsmann and the players don’t need my help. They are incredibly creative footballers and have lots of ideas about how to play against each team. I think people will be able to see that against Köln but if the boss does have any questions I will of course be there to contribute.

Anthony Modeste in particular has been on good form lately for Köln. You must know how to stop him having trained with him.

Vogt: I don’t have some kind of secret recipe to prevent him from scoring even though I trained with him. He’s very dangerous at the moment and has been ruthless in front of goal this season, so we are going to have to be really alert to keep him out. He’s always on the move and is a constant threat, but above all he is physically very tough and we have to try and combat this. However I believe we have the players at the back to do just that. We know that we’ve been very good defensively over the past few weeks so I am looking forward to this duel with Tony. I'm also excited for it because we get on very well and are still in touch with each other. However I know that we have what it takes to keep him at bay.

Is it a particularly special match for you, returning to your former club?
 
Vogt: Of course, it is always special when you face your old club for the first time since you left. I also felt like that when I first moved to Köln from Augsburg, but it’s not a massive event. I am personally expecting to get a heated reception but I am looking forward to it. I’m really fired up for this match.

What do you and the team have to do in order to progress to the next round?

Vogt: Win (laughs). We have to bring that same ruthlessness and concentration that we’ve shown in the past few weeks and then we will have a chance of getting through. Köln are a threat going forward but we also have a lot of confidence. We will try to execute our game plan as best we can. I’ve got a good feeling about this one.

It’s all or nothing in the cup. Do you enjoy knockout matches?

Vogt: The cup is special. You hear about the Bundesliga every day but the cup is different. You only get one game, one chance. Your form can suddenly go out the window and you don’t get a second chance. I hope we play well and that we’ll be able to celebrate a victory on Wednesday night. 

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