Bittencourt: "Big challenges await us"

Leo, your parents come from Brazil, you were born in Cottbus. Did you grow up more Brazilian or more German?

''I feel really German because I went to school in Germany and have a lot of German friends. But at home with my parents, who both immigrated from Brazil, I was brought up Brazilian and that's very much left its mark on me. They brought me up the same way they would do a child in Brazil, I speak fluent Portuguese. But as soon as I walked out the front door, I became this German, who was always on time and wasn't as laid-back as other Brazilians. I think it's a good mix. It's great here at Hoffenheim having two other Brazilians in the team, Joelinton and Felipe Pires. They really bring out the South American in me.''

Your father, Franklin, played professional football for 13 years in Cottbus. Did he become a local?

''He lived there for 13 years and felt really at home - just like I did. I had a nice childhood in Cottbus. I think he really made a good decision in choosing to live there. I feel he remained in the same place once he'd hung up his boots due to the fact that us children were already going to school there. He's happy to now be living in Cologne, a bigger city, where there's more going on. The laid-back atmosphere there reminds him more of his hometown Rio de Janeiro. It's still always really nice for him to return home - whether that be Rio or Cottbus.''

''I visit my family in Rio as often as I can''

Do you spend a lot of time in Brazil?

''I visit my family in Rio as often as I can, though the last time was two years ago now. Thankfully Skype and Facetime have made staying in touch so much easier. I always enjoy my time there and feel really at home. I like being there, but I don't feel the need to travel around and explore the streets in order to see everything. I wouldn't say I'm your typical tourist. I just go to the beach and enjoy putting my feet up and relaxing.''

What are your memories of your time at Energie Cottbus?

''I had a great time as a youth player. I think it was important for me to not transfer to a youth programme at one of the big clubs at that age, despite the fact I received a lot of interest from them. Instead I became a professional player at my hometown club. The competition would have probably been greater at another club, I might not have made it all the way to the first team squad. My father advised me to stay put and focus on my development, which I think was absolutely the right thing to do. I had a coach, Claus-Dieter Wollitz, who pushed me forward and made everything possible for me.''

You then transferred to Borussia Dortmund, where you suddenly found yourself playing Champions League football. You were still really young back then and were playing in a magnificent team which made it all the way to the final of Europe's elite competition to only just lose to Bayern Munich. How do you look back on that time?

''In a very positive way. I was a young lad and I was thrown into the Bundesliga at 18,19 years of age. Although I didn't get all that much playing time, I was always present. I had come from Cottbus, playing in the 2. Bundesliga, so I knew that I wasn't going to be the cornerstone of the team, but still, I would have liked a few more games. In the Champions League I was mainly on the bench as well, which was still an amazing feeling at that age. I always made the journey with the team, had some amazing experiences and almost won the Champions League. The travel, the unbelievably special atmosphere at the matches, it was a brilliant year.''

''The Champions League semi-final was a highlight''

Which experiences do you look back on particularly fondly?

''The 3-2 win over Malaga in the second leg of the quarter-final, now known as ''The miracle of Dortmund'', was pretty cool. The semi-final was an absolute highlight, beating Real Madrid, Robert Lewandowski scoring four goals in a single match. In the second leg we would have gone out had Sergio Ramos hit the back of the net instead of the post. You don't forget moments like that. And of course there's the final, even though I wasn't in the squad.''

During your time at BVB you played against two of Hoffenheim's opponents in the group phase, Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk. What can Hoffenheim expect from their trip to the English champions?

''The atmosphere at Manchester City isn't really comparable with what you get in German stadiums. We shouldn't be intimidated by what will come from the stands. We'll be able to focus on what's happening out on the pitch - and that's where we'll be faced with a big challenge. It's always a brilliant experience getting to know the different stadiums and countries.''

Now you're returning to the Champions League with TSG Hoffenheim. What was it that made you want to sign for TSG?

''I really wanted to be out on the pitch when I was at Dortmund, so the move to Hannover was a logical step at the time in order to establish myself in the Bundesliga. I achieved this at 96 as well as at Cologne. Now this season I want to take the next step and play for a top club and be involved in European competition. There were a few options out there for me, but with Hoffenheim it was really the entire concept around the club which drew me in more than anything else. Of course I was also aware of the way in which Julian Nagelsmann had done so much to develop players in such a short time. That was an absolutely crucial point. I already knew a couple of players really well - Nico Schulz from our U16 days, plus I played together with Kevin Vogt at Cologne - so I could ask those boys to give me the inside information on how everything works here.'' (laughs)

''I feel really at home here''

Hoffenheim was a much smaller club 5-10 years ago. What do you make of the way it's developed?

''The club has grown and it's really established itself in the Bundesliga over the last few years. Over this time period, a lot of young people will have been there to see it all. They'll really be able to contribute a lot in terms of atmosphere, which will allow the club to step up a level with regards to its fans and its support. What Dietmar Hopp started has, ten years on, turned into something really special. I live in Heidelberg and I feel really at home here - when I pass through the villages on the way to training I really notice how proud everyone is of TSG.''

It's always said that training under Julian Nagelsmann is extremely demanding and specific. Would you agree with that?

''It's very complex. He's a perfectionist and he has very clear ideas about how he wants football to be played. He wants us to make these ideas a reality. We therefore have to be really switched on in training. If you lose concentration for just a couple of seconds you can end up not understanding how everything fits together. It's really been a new experience for me, but I suppose at the end of the day that's what made the club stand out for me.''

How do you evaluate your goal scoring ability? Before the season started you said you wanted to be more clinical...

''I've been making constant improvements on this aspect of play and I want to step up a level. I'm working really intensively on this in training. I got the ball in the back of the net against Freiburg, but unfortunately it was ruled out. I had a few other chances but alas Freiburg's keeper Alexander Schwolow did a great job at keeping them out. I feel I'm now playing for a team which will create a lot more chances for me, and I'm certain I'll finish a few of them in the weeks to come.''

Nico Schulz was just called up for the German national team for the first time. Sandro Wagner and Kerem Demirbay also got their first caps while playing for Hoffenheim. Is that further motivation for you?

''It's certainly a dream of mine. Once you've played in the youth national team and have got a sense of how great it feels then you absolutely want to play for the senior team. It's something I strive towards every day, but my immediate focus is here at Hoffenheim. If I can perform to the best of my ability here, then I'll get the chance one day. What's important for me is that I perform well for the club and work hard to keep improving. That way, should my career end without me having played for the national team, at least I'll be able to tell myself that I gave it my all.''

Was the Brazil national team ever something you considered?

''I have passports for both countries. If I got an offer then it's certainly something I'd think about it. Having said that, I think there's more focus on me here in Germany, so for that reason it's never really been something I've considered. Back when I was an U21, I received offers from both countries and ended up choosing Germany. I suppose I would do the same if that were to happen again at senior level. But so far I've yet to receive an offer from either, so I've not had to make the decision just yet.'' (laughs)