Willi Orban: "I'm expecting strong opposition"

You didn’t miss a single minute of the first half of the season. Is that something you want to continue for the remainder of the campaign?

Willi Orban: Of course it is a goal of mine. Every football wants to spend as many minutes as possible on the pitch, helping the team as much as possible and displaying your strengths.

The winter break included a big defeat against Ajax. How did that affect the team?

Orban: We were obviously very unhappy with the game, not to mention the performance. The mood in the camp that night wasn’t good at all, because we couldn’t really understand where the performance had come from. But then we were able to put things into perspective. We had a lot of miles in our legs and played against a team who were only one week away from ending their winter break. They were further forward in their preparation compared to us and brought a lot of quality and class to the game, you cannot forget that and we are still a very young team. What’s most important is that we put that game behind us and build on it constructively.

It’s the first round of the second half of the season and Hoffenheim are coming to Leipzig as third plays second. Could you ever have imagined that at the start of the campaign?

Orban: I never imagined we would be in this position in August, but for us nothing has changed, we’re just taking it game by game to establish ourselves in the league and develop further. I don’t think anyone expected this fixture to take place under these conditions though. We have already seen that both teams play an attacking, high-tempo style of football on the first day of the season. It will be a top quality game.

You scored the equaliser in added time on the first day of the season in Sinsheim. What role will this game play on Saturday?

Orban: I don’t think it will play a big role. We already know what to expect from Hoffenheim, but both teams have developed even further over the first half of the season. We have the home advantage though and want to follow through with our gameplan.

You have 39 points at the midway point of the season and are in second. What do you want to achieve in the second half of the season?

Orban: We are pleased and proud that we have been able to get ourselves in this position. We have worked hard for it, but we know that we have to keep focused to keep this up. We’re taking it game by game and we always have the aim of winning points. We want to keep growing as a team, but we’re keeping both feet firmly on the ground.

What are you expecting from the game on Saturday?

Orban: I’m expecting strong opposition. They are the only unbeaten side in the league and they will play at an intense high-tempo on Saturday. I’m looking forward to playing in front of another great crowd at the Red Bull Arena. There will be a great atmosphere.

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