FIRST TEAM
03/06/2021

Gerhardt: "We need to produce our best performance"

VfL Wolfsburg have been the best team in the second half-season and are on course for the Champions League. Prior to facing TSG Hoffenheim (Saturday at 15:30 CET), Wolfsburg midfielder Yannick Gerhardt spoke about their strengths, their long run without conceding and their season aims.

You haven't conceded a goal in the Bundesliga in your last seven matches. How do you explain your defensive solidity at the moment?

""We defend very cohesively as a team. From the attackers to the defenders, everyone knows their job. We keep the spaces tight and make it difficult for the opponent to find solutions. And if we do give something away from time to time, we have an outstanding goalkeeper in Koen Casteels, who can save shots that look unstoppable."

Your only defeat this year came in your first game at Borussia Dortmund and you have since climbed up to third in the Bundesliga. What are you doing differently to before?

"I really don't think we're doing too much differently. But the difference is definitely the fact that we have been playing with this set-up for a while. We have internalised our tactics and obviously each victory gives you self-belief as well. But at the same time, we also know that we always need to produce our best performance, because there are no easy rides in the Bundesliga."

You're on course for your first Champions League involvement since 2016. Is that your objective?

"Before the season, we set ourselves the aim of finishing the season in the European places. Things are obviously looking very good right now and we feel very happy in third place. But there are still other teams who want to qualify for the Champions League. So we have to take it game by game, pick up our points and defend third place for as long as possible."

You won the reverse fixture 2-1. What made the difference on that occasion?

"We played very well in the first half and deservedly led 2-0. In the second half, Hoffenheim then shifted things around slightly, applied pressure and pulled a goal back. We then obviously got a bit lucky in the last minute because Koen Casteels saved a penalty and that allowed us to keep the points in Wolfsburg."

You were away to RB Leipzig in the cup quarter-finals this week. Does it make a difference that TSG have had more rest and you played 90 minutes?

"You could perhaps see if that way if you solely consider this training week. But by the same token, Hoffenheim have had the extra burden of playing Europa League football throughout the season. So for that reason I don't believe that Hoffenheim have an advantage."

Match facts and statistics »

Download Now!
Print Page to top