Korb: 'Playing in next season's Champions League is realistic'
Finishing bottom of UEFA Champions League Group D has not discouraged Borussia Mönchengladbach right-back Julian Korb from playing again at Europe's top table.
Speaking after Tuesday's decisive 4-2 defeat to Manchester City FC that put paid to Borussia's hopes of reaching the UEFA Europa League, the 23-year-old discussed the Foals' maiden Champions League voyage, why he wants to return to the competition and how his side plan to go about it - starting with this weekend's trip to fellow top-four contenders Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Are you worried that the defeat is a bit of a setback ahead of Saturday’s game against Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga?
Korb: It’s still raw knowing that we’re out. We’re allowed to be disappointed. After that it's about clearing our heads and turning our attentions to Leverkusen. We’ve got our next tough assignment on Saturday. It’s not the easiest schedule playing Bayern, Man City and Leverkusen in the space of seven days, but we’re getting on with it.
What position will you play against Leverkusen?
Korb: I don’t know yet, you’ll have to ask the coach (laughs). Wherever it is, I’ll give it my best.
How optimistic are you that Gladbach will bee playing Champions League football next season?
Korb: At the moment, we’re third . We want to climb as high as possible and play like we have been in recent games. If we do that, playing in next season’s Champions League is realistic. It’s definitely given us a lot of pleasure and been a lot of fun.
Alexander Barklage reporting from Manchester
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