Hoffenheim captain Kevin Vogt: "We can score two against Liverpool"
Hoffenheim have it all to do - and must score at least twice at Anfield - when they travel to face Liverpool in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs on Wednesday evening (kick-off 20:45CEST/18:45GMT), but after an impressive Matchday 1 win over Werder Bremen, on-field captain Kevin Vogt insists they are capable of overturning a 2-1 deficit.
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Question: What are your thoughts ahead of the upcoming game against Liverpool?
Kevin Vogt: We put in good performances against Bremen and against Liverpool in the first leg. I have absolutely no doubt that we can score two goals at Anfield. We'll throw ourselves into the game and absolutely give it our all, because we still have a chance to reach the group stage.
Question: In this season's first three competitive games, 19 players have featured in the starting line-up. What does this mean for the season, with the club fighting on three fronts?
Vogt: It means that we're versatile! And it shows that the squad has great strength in depth. We saw it against Bremen: when our two forwards (Nadiem Amiri and Mark Uth) went off, they were replaced by players of incredible quality (Andrej Kramaric and Serge Gnabry). It's a real confidence boost. I don't want to talk about us being overwhelmed because I'm really looking forward to playing in three competitions. We should be delighted about having these opportunities, rather than complaining about fatigue.
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Question: Last season, Sebastian Rudy played just in front of the defence, before his summer switch to Bayern Munich. In three games, three different players have taken up the role - the experienced Eugen Polanski, the more attacking Kerem Demirbay and the up-and-coming Dennis Geiger. But it worked out in every case, right?
Vogt: At this point I'd just like to say congratulations to Dennis for an excellent performance against Bremen. He did a great job in an important position, and looked very mature. It was a superb effort for his Bundesliga debut.
Watch: Nagelmann's Hoffenheim taking shape!
Question: Can you talk us through the victory over Bremen?
Vogt: Congratulations are also due to the team, because we fully deserved the win. We kept our discipline over 90 minutes and never made life hard for ourselves. We managed to get the better of a very deep-lying opponent. Our goal - when it arrived - was long overdue. In the second half we also prevented Bremen from making a single counter-attack, because we defended brilliantly all over the pitch.
Question: How important was it to win after waiting so patiently for a goal? Can we expect to see Hoffenheim playing with more possession this season?
Vogt: It was very important. It won't be the last time this season that we come up against opponents playing very deep, and trying to hit us on the counter. It's a bit unusual for us, compared to last season, but it's something we'll have to get used to. If we can put in more performances like against Bremen, we should be absolutely fine.
Watch: Andrej Kramaric wants to repeat last season's heroics!
Question: Some observers suggested you would have had an easier time of things if Demirbay had scored in the fifth minute, when he spurned a very good chance. Is that the team's problem at the moment - a slight lack of cutting edge?
Vogt: That's one argument. Of course it's always easier if you score at the first opportunity - the game is a bit more comfortable, and you can save a bit of energy. But that's how it goes! In the future, we're unlikely to convert every chance we create.