"Papa" Sokratis scored for the second time this term in the Bundesliga – and the seventh ever – as he hammered home that all-important goal to put BVB 2-1 up against Frankfurt. "It was an important goal", agreed the Greek centre-back in his usual dry manner in an interview with BVBtotal! after the match. Not only for the team, but for him personally. "The goal was very important for me mentally, for my psyche, too," he explained.

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"Papa", we knew that you were one of the best tacklers in the Bundesliga. But you surprised us today by showing us that you're one of the best defenders in the division technically, too. Was that the best goal of your career to date?
(Grins) "Yes, I believe that was the best goal I have scored in my career. I'd like to dedicate it to Marc Bartra and his family. The two hours of warming up and playing today helped to switch off a bit, to block everything else out a bit."

Talk us through what happened with your goal. You drove forward with the ball. When did you decide to go for goal yourself?
"I took a look around me and then decided that I just had to go for it myself. Then I don't really remember what I did. I didn't see anything. Just that the ball was flying towards the goal."

Did it feel like a weight off your shoulders?
"Of course, it was an important moment for the team as we went 2-1 up. But the goal was important for me mentally, for my psyche, too."

"The victory will give us some extra strength"

It hasn't been an easy few days for you all. How difficult was it today for you to put in a performance like that?
"It was very difficult, not only today. In the upcoming matches it is not going to be easy either. The events that have taken place this week will be very difficult to forget."

Nonetheless, will this victory today give you some extra strength?
"Yes, no doubt about that." (djg)