FC St. Pauli

Fabian Hürzeler on…

...the latest on Simon Zoller and Maurides: "We're easing them both back in. Simon is back in full training now but has been out for five weeks, so we’re still having to manage his workload in consultation with the medical department. It's a similar situation with Mauri – we can't afford to ask too much of him too quickly. The international break comes at the right time for players like them. We can use the time to get them closer to the team so they're in a position to start a game after the international break rather than simply coming on from the bench."

...topping the table and being chased rather than chasing: "It makes no difference, even though the lads know they're the ones being chased now. It means they have to invest even more, go the extra yard and not rest on their laurels. They know how they got where they are, i.e. by working hard and pushing themselves to the limit in fitness, recovery and playing terms. I won't change the content of my team talks. I have to keep pushing them hard and insist that they continue to show the clarity they've been showing and go that extra yard. That's what they've done over the last months and that's what they need to keep doing to ensure no sloppiness creeps in."

...the cohesiveness of the group: "The group and the sense of togetherness are what’s decisive. If players who aren't getting much playing time let their heads drop in training, the intensity will suffer and so will the players who are starting. The big plus for us at the moment is that the players who are on the fringes at the moment are pushing the starting XI to the limit and thus challenging them to the max. That only happens when we cultivate a sense of togetherness rather than elevating individual players. No one lets their head drop and they push their teammates to the limit. Do that and you’ll get your reward, as the example of Johannes Eggestein shows. He's never let his head drop and always gone flat out. Adam Dźwigała has always been there when we've needed him, too. You can only do that if you keep pushing yourself and your teammates to the limit in training. It's a process that stands for our sense of togetherness. For me, the team always comes before the individual player because that's the only way you’re going to be successful. That's how the team's working at the moment."

...opponents Nürnberg: "They're an exciting side. They play good football with a clear plan and lots of courage from the back. Nürnberg transition fast and very well. They also keep getting into positions that allow them to get the ball deep quickly. They're always capable of scoring. Off the ball, they display an intensity that makes them hard to play against. It's going to be a challenge because they can play football and want to play football. They'll push us to the limit, but we're still going for the win here at the Millerntor."

...the third Saturday night game in a row: "8.30 pm under the lights and a full house - that's just special. We're looking forward to it and hoping we can transfer the energy back to the crowd by playing with aggression and intensity."

Photos: Witters