FIRST TEAM
05/10/2019

Gebre Selassie: "We still have a chance"

Theodor Gebre Selassie, 32, has been a Werder Bremen player since 2012 and has only missed one match this season. In an interview with achtzehn99.de prior to the clash with Hoffenheim (Saturday at 15:30 CET, Live Ticker at achtzehn99.de), the Czech right-back spoke about the race for Europe, his personal record against the Kraichgau club and TSG's attacking strengths.

Theo, you have been battling to secure a European berth for some time and have given yourself a fighting chance by coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund last time out. How do you rate your chances for the remaining two matches?

"We know that we still have a chance, even though we're not currently in the optimal position. But for as long as it's possible, we'll give our best. There are only two games remaining and then we have a break. So we don't need to conserve our energy in these matches; we can give it absolutely everything we've got. We want to get two wins and then see where we end up in the table."

Next up for you is Hoffenheim. The reverse fixture was very even and the game finished 1-1. What are your memories of that match?

"I recall it being an intense match in which both teams wanted to be successful by playing football. It was a game under the floodlights at the Weserstadion, which is always a special occasion. And it was a typical game for us by this season's standards: we went behind, then equalised and subsequently grew into the game, and by the end we could've won it. Unfortunately, though, it didn't work out that time."

You've scored in three of your past four league games against Hoffenheim. Does that make TSG one of your favourite teams to face?

"That's obviously just coincidental (laughs). I'm delighted with every goal, as I don't score that many. But what ultimately counts is that we win – regardless of who gets the goals."

As a full-back, you'll be up against the third-best attack in the division on Saturday. What do you need to be particularly careful of?

"It speaks volumes for the whole team when you're that dangerous going forward. However, we've demonstrated this season that our game plan is not about adapting ourselves to our opponents. We want to play our game and focus on our strengths."

You hadn't missed a minute of this Bundesliga season up until Matchday 31, but you had to sit out the game with Dortmund. Are you feeling the effects of this season with two rounds to go?

"Every Bundesliga season demands everything from you physically and mentally. It gets more and more difficult towards the end to keep your focus on the task at hand. But that's our job, we're professionals. And so there's no reason for us to complain. It must be our objective to give 100 percent physically and mentally until the final matchday."

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