Knoche: "Our team spirit sets us apart"

"I think that our team spirit on and off the pitch is primarily what sets us apart. Then there is the fact that the team is more experienced now given that this is our second season in the Bundesliga and we have individual quality in the team as well."

You've only managed to win one match in the second half of the season so far. What has been missing compared to the first half-season?

"That finishing touch. We scored more goals in the first half of the season, but we have struggled to score goals a bit more since the short winter break. Nonetheless, we've still performed well in most of our matches; we've just been missing that final punch in one or two situations."

You're in seventh place and, with 33 points, you have already almost sealed your objective of staying up. What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?

"Even though it might sound boring, we only take one game at a time. We need to perform to our limits in every Bundesliga match if we are to take points. We obviously want to pick up as many points as possible and be mathematically safe from relegation as early as possible. Anything beyond that is wishful thinking."

The reverse fixture against TSG was hard-fought for a long time. You only went ahead in the 85th minute (final score: 3-1). What kind of game are you expecting?

"This match will also be extremely difficult, because Hoffenheim possess enormous individual quality. Even though their season so far has perhaps gone a bit differently to how they would've wanted, they can beat any team on their day. It will be important for us to be fully focused from the beginning and to play to our strengths. If we can do that, then we can make Hoffenheim's life difficult."

You are one of the few players in the Bundesliga who have yet to miss a single minute of action in the current campaign. How intense has this season during the corona crisis been for you?

"It would've obviously been nicer if everything was normal and the stadiums were full. But we have to accept the situation and make the best of it. Regardless of the outside circumstances, my objective is to play as many matches as possible, and that's going very well so far."

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