Brosinski: "We need to be alert"

Daniel, you were treated as relegation candidates before the season, but now you're safely positioned in mid-table. Are you satisfied with the first half of the season?

"We've given a good account of ourselves so far, but I wouldn't say I'm satisfied. There's room for improvement in many areas, but the team has taken a positive step forward this year in terms of our performance level, playing style and mentality. Now we want to continue to pick up points so that we can secure our top-flight status for next season as early as possible. Sunday is the next opportunity."

You've been at Mainz for over four and a half seasons and you're one of the leading players. What's changed at the club in that time?

"Astonishingly little given that there have been three coaches who have each implemented different tactical approaches in that time. Above all, we've always maintained our Mainz team spirit. Even if there have been a lot of changes to the squad this year and we have a lot of nationalities at the club, we're like a small family. I feel very happy here."

"We want to get a result"

TSG have often emerged victorious and scored a lot of goals in previous meetings between the two teams. Why's that been the case?

"The strong individual quality in the team certainly plays a role. But we've never let ourselves be affected by big names, whether our opponents are in international competition or what position they occupy in the table. We definitely want to get another result before the Christmas break."

What are TSG Hoffenheim's strengths?

"All in all, TSG are a very good team; they boast defensive stability and pose a major threat going forward. You need to be particularly aware of their switch-play. We'll certainly need to be alert and can't allow ourselves any mistakes."

Does the game feel any different, given that it's taking place so close to Christmas?

"That doesn't make an iota of difference to me."

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