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Emre Can: no excuses in the game against Hoffenheim
Emre, how do you see the team's development in recent weeks?
I do believe that we have made progress in recent weeks and months - in terms of maturity, the way we play football, the way we go about things. You can already see a signature and what the coach wants from us. I think we are very tactical on the pitch - we can change our tactics in almost every game. It's not easy for opponents to prepare to play against us. I think we've made a huge step forward in that respect. We want to play calm football, we want to move high up the pitch, we want to press, we want to be a nuisance - and we've done that well in recent weeks. Even if the results could still be better. At the end of the day, what counts in football is getting points. We have to learn that. The coach also said after the game that we have to become winners. And yes, that's a process and we all have to get there.
On Sunday against Hoffenheim, a completely different Black & Yellows side could take to the pitch than against Barcelona due to injuries. How important is it for the young players to lead the way?
I always want to lead the way. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But that's always my goal. No matter who is on the pitch on Sunday, our goal has to be to win the game. We're playing at home in front of 80,000 spectators. We can't accept these excuses that we have so many injured players now and pity ourselves somehow. That's football, unfortunately we can't change it. Nobody wants to have injured players in the squad, but that's the way it's turned out. But I don't want to hide behind it and say: OK, we've got injuries now, it doesn't matter what we do on the pitch. Our goal must still be to pick up three points.
Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer visited you five weeks ago as coach of Sturm Graz in the Champions League, you won the game 1-0. What was your impression of Graz back then?
They definitely played very courageously, always tried to play out at the back and, as far as possible, hardly played any long balls. I can remember that. They had a very bold approach. It wasn't easy against Graz, we scored late on. It won't be a simple task against Hoffenheim in any case, because they also have a very, very good team. But as I said, we're playing at home. Our goal has to be to win the game.
Do you think that Hoffenheim could play as boldly as Graz on Sunday, even with their new coach Christian Ilzer?
I think they can play with courage. I don't think the coach will say: "OK, I'm going to Hoffenheim, I just want to play long balls." I don't think they have the team for that either. But that's also a process. Four weeks is a bit too short a time to recognise their signature. We have to be prepared to go up against a good team.
You've had good personal experiences with Hoffenheim in the past. You met TSG with Liverpool in the Champions League qualifiers in 2017. You scored the opening goal and the third in a 4-2 home win. How many goals can we expect from you on Sunday?
At least two! No, joking aside. My job for now will be to keep our defence safe - with the lads next to me and in front of me. If I can score a goal or two at the end, I'd be extremely happy for the team and for myself. Let's hope that happens.