Szalai: "It'll be a tactical highlight"

How do you assess your start to the season?

"It was important for us to win in Hanover. We've been slightly unlucky in recent matches as far as the result is concerned. For that reason, it was important for us to get the win. However, we didn't produce the level of performance against Leipzig that we have in our previous games."

You've already got three goals. Do you feel ready for the big challenges that lie ahead?

"Goals really don't matter to me. We want to get the right result. It's all well and good to be scoring goals, that's the icing on the cake, but those who know me know that I always give everything for the team. All that matters is that the result is right."

In recent games you've often been the stronger team but not been rewarded with the three points. What's that been down to?

"Dusseldorf really was a horrible game for us. They sat back and we spent 90 minutes trying to break them down. I think that the Dusseldorf players still cannot believe they were able to win that game. We were also clearly the better team against Dortmund but missed out on the win. We created a great many chances but couldn't kill the game early on."

It'll finally be time for your first home game in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. What will it be like against Manchester City?

"It'll be an eventful encounter, I think. They're a massive team with an incredibly good coach. I think it'll be one of the most interesting matches in the history of TSG Hoffenheim. And not just because it's in the Champions League, but also because the clash carries a great deal of significance for the coach and players. Pep Guardiola has a plan and won't be coming here to get a draw. And anyone who knows Julian Nagelsmann knows that it'll be a tactical highlight for every fan."

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