Hack: "We have to shift up a gear"

Alexander, the weekend was a success for Mainz with the first victory of the season. How much of a relief was it to get the win in Freiburg?

"It was a wonderful feeling to finally be able to celebrate this victory, especially because we had been close to getting a win several times in the weeks before. But lying in 15th in the table on Matchday nine, there can be no talk of relief – we have to shift up a gear, because nothing has been done yet. The focus is entirely on Sunday and the next game against Hoffenheim."

You climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to the victory. Are you confident that you will escape relegation at the end of the season?

"We have the quality and experience, we have always managed to support and motivate each other as a team. In the end, despite all the gloomy predictions, we have always managed to punch our ticket for the next Bundesliga season. We have a good squad, and I think we have the potential to achieve more than just escaping relegation at the last minute. The problem in the past has been continuously focusing on that. Often, we became self-satisfied quickly. That is why it is all the more important now to keep working hard so that the victory against Freiburg is not just a flash in the pan and we can give ourselves a little bit of breathing space."

On Sunday, you will play host to TSG Hoffenheim. What will be the deciding factor in the game?

"Hoffenheim are immensely strong in the attacking third, regardless of all the injuries and Coronavirus concerns, they always cause problems in the penalty area. It's important that we concentrate fully so we can once again produce the solid defensive performances of our recent games."

You will be up against Andrej Kramarić, one of the most dangerous players in the Bundesliga. Are you doing anything in particular to prepare for the battle?

"Of course, we always prepare for our specific opponents, we always discuss the strengths and possible weaknesses in detail in the pre-match sessions. Kramarić is a challenge for any defence in the Bundesliga. It will be important that everyone is fully focused and that we collectively defend well against the entire Hoffenheim front line as a team."

The games between Mainz and Hoffenheim have seen a lot of goals in the past. Will there be more again on Sunday?

"Well it would be fine by me if Jean-Philippe Mateta were to continue his run from last Sunday (laughs). All in all, we have managed to create more and more chances over the past few weeks. We will also do everything we can to make it difficult 7for TSG to break down our defence."

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