Vasilj: "We want to repeat what we achieved last season"

Nikola Vasilj on…

…the differences between the Bundesliga opener and the cup-tie against Norderstedt:"It's going to be a completely different game. We need to be more efficient in front of goal because we created a lot of chances. We can be satisfied with our defensive work, that's our identity. We have to maintain the level of the last season and keep our stability. It's down to us to find better solutions in the final third and become more clear-cut. We're trying to do better in attack and take our chances."

…kicking off against Borussia Dortmund:"It's the first big game and I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully we'll get off to a good start."

…Dortmund's short pre-season:"That's not our focus. We have to concentrate on ourselves. They're a big team with good players, so it won't be a problem for them. I'm sure they're just as motivated and will want to get off to a good start. I'm looking forward to the game and hope it'll be a good battle on the pitch."

…the targets for this season:"We want to repeat what we achieved last season. We want to become a stable Bundesliga club – that's the target for this season. We want to get as many points as possible, play defensively solid, high-intensity football and try to take our chances every game."

In the DFB Cup tie against Norderstedt, Nikola Vasilj saved the final penalty to see his side through to the next round.

…the new signings:"I'm impressed by the way all the new players have adjusted to the team. We've gained a lot of quality. Louis Oppie has settled in very well on the left-hand side. Joel Fujita's defending is incredibly good. He's quality, that’s for sure. Like all the new players he still has to adjust and take his time. In Matias Pereira Lage we've gained more pace in attack. Hopefully he'll help us score a few goals and we have Andréas Hountondji as well. It'll be a long season and it's down to them now. I don't expect anyone to do anything special, especially not at the beginning. Let's just try to build on last season. It's not about individual players, it's about the team as a whole and about how we acquit ourselves on the pitch over the course of the season."

…things he wants to improve on:"There are lots. It's always small things. For me it's about staying calm and finding the right balance. It's about developing a feel for the team to help them from the back and provide a platform for our game from there. Then I have to find my position when saving shots or deciding when I need to come out of my goal and when not. It's mainly about working mentally and good decision-making to improve my game."

… tricks for saving penalties:"I don't have any special tricks. Sometimes I make my mind up before the taker makes his run-up and sometimes I leave it late. You have to be able to anticipate and analyse the way the taker goes about it, but ultimately you need a bit of luck as well."

Photos: FC St. Pauli