BUCHTMANN: "IT DOESN'T JUST COME OVERNIGHT, IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE WORKED HARD ON IN TRAINING"
Tuesday, 05. October 2021, 11:00 Uhr
Christopher Buchtmann's goal just 56 seconds into the game set his team on the way to a 3-0 win over Dynamo Dresden on Sunday. One day later, the midfielder took time out after the recovery session to answer questions from the media.
...his return to the side: "It was indescribable. I knew the day before that I was going to play. I was a bit nervous, which is normal when you've been out for so long, but by the second minute the nerves had dissipated and the tension had gone."
...the opening stages against Dresden: "We wanted to go all-out attack for the first quarter of an hour to get the fans on board and generate a superb atmosphere, which bore fruit straightaway. When everyone pulls together, you're like in the zone and really up for it. The only reason I scored was because Afeez won the ball and then we linked up really well. Kofi laid the ball off perfectly for me with a backheel and I didn't need much fancy footwork, I just took one touch and hit it. It shows the quality we have pressing the ball and attacking."
...the league table: "I like looking at it. Better than the other way round. We know we're only a quarter of the way through the season, though. There are some incredibly strong teams coming up. We have to keep going and stay hungry and belligerent. If we do, we can go places."
Christopher Buchtmann, here under challenge from Dresden's Michael Sollbauer (left) and Robin Becker (right), made his first appearance in the starting lineup since January 2020 against the Saxony outfit.
...the quality of the squad: "We've gained a lot of quality and especially depth, which raises the quality in training. Everyone is belligerent on the pitch. Our counter-pressing is so important to ensure the opposition have hardly any time to get going. We do it really well and we're there at the right moments. We're like in the zone then and it works."
...the rapid progress in the past year: "The coaching team evaluated the first half of last season very well and we've gelled into a super unit. I can only reiterate that everyone here knows what they have to do, from the goalkeepers to the forwards. The way we press the opposition and give them hardly any room to breathe - it doesn't just come overnight, it's something we've worked hard on in training. We're incredibly hungry, everyone's focused and has the desire to win.
...the quality of the new signings: "They've integrated really well, and we've incorporated them really well. The scouts have done a good job, you have to say, when lads who weren't really on your radar turn out to be a big hit with us."
...the dream of promotion to the Bundesliga: "I've been here ten years now. To gain promotion with the club would be huge for me, of course. It's always been on my mind. We can dream, but it's still too early to talk about it. We still have a lot to do.
...his contract, which expires next summer: "I always want to play and give my all. I want to get back to my peak but have to take it step by step. Dresden was another step in the right direction. I aim to keep pushing for a place and it's no secret I'd like to stay here. There's still plenty of time, though, so we'll see what happens.
Photos: Witters
