Höfler: ''We've usually come into the game as underdogs''

Nicolas, after two consecutive defeats you managed to turn things around on Saturday by winning 4-0 over Schalke. The three points mean you've already passed the 40-point mark for the season. How good did that win feel?

''It was a great win, especially after the games over the last few weeks which weren't so successful for us. We were particularly happy with how we were able to play football the way we want to.''

You're three points behind seventh place, which is the last Europa League qualification spot. How confident are you of being able to catch up?

''The fight for seventh place is really tight. If we're able to play like we did against Schalke in our next few games then I'm confident we'll be in with a shot of qualifying for Europe at the end of the season.''

Your midweek game away to Hertha Berlin was cancelled. Were you glad to have a full week of training or would you rather have played the match?

''Of course we would have liked to carry our momentum from the weekend into the midweek fixture. But it meant we had a normal week and could fully concentrate on preparing for the game against Hoffenheim.''

You've had the upperhand in games against Hoffenheim in recent years. Why do you think this has been the case?

''We've usually come into the game as underdogs. We've used that to our advantage and done all we can to play to our strengths.''

TSG have been particularly impressive in defence recently. What are you expecting from the game?

''I'm expecting an intense match. Hoffenheim have played very well in their last few games. They've shown some really strong pressing, not to mention the individual quality of their players. We'll have to play to our strengths against them and replicate our peformance from the Schalke game. If we manage to do that, then I'm confident.''

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