Stuttgart - The importance of his match-winning effort was not lost on after he netted the only goal of the game in Borussia Mönchengladbach's hard-fought victory over VfB Stuttgart.

'There's still a long way to go'

After his 71st-minute strike lifting the Foals into third and keeping them on the heels of VfL Wolfsburg, bundesliga.com caught up with the German winger to get his thoughts on a 'Man of the Match' performance, his current form and Gladbach's challenge at the top of the table.

bundesliga.com: Patrick Herrmann, today's 1-0 win has earned you all three important points. How difficult a game was it to win?

Patrick Herrmann: It certainly wasn't an easy win. We started the first half very well and could have taken the lead early on. Then Stuttgart settled more and became stronger defensively. We found it increasingly difficult to break them down, but as soon as they started to come at us, we showed our class by hitting them on the break.

bundesliga.com: The win was almost snatched from you at the death when Georg Niedermeier hit the crossbar. What did you think in that moment?

Herrmann: My heart really sank. When your opponents throw everything forwards and play long balls, things like that can always happen. Let's just say we got lucky in the end.

bundesliga.com: Your winning goal was expertly executed. Explain to us how it went from your point of view…

Herrmann: We played a quick counter-attack and Branimir Hrgota threaded the ball through to me. I took it first time and was lucky that it went in. I'd actually aimed for the far corner so I'm just glad it went in. The goalkeeper got a touch, but that doesn't matter.

bundesliga.com:

Your goal was still decisive, and that certainly helps the whole of the team…

Herrmann:

That's right. My goal earned us the three points and that's very important at the moment because things are very tight in the league table. A goal like this could well be decisive when everything is added up at the end.

Want more Bundesliga Action?

GET THE UPDATES!

bundesliga.com: Now you have SC Freiburg at home in midweek. They've had a good start to the year with a 4-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. What does that mean for you?

Herrmann: It doesn't make it any easier for us. It's always been hard in Freiburg and certainly playing them at home's also going to be a hard nut to crack.

bundesliga.com: What does this win mean in light of the coming weeks?

Herrmann: It's always great to start well as it gives you self-confidence, especially when you consider that Stuttgart gave it everything as well.

Interview by Jens Fischer