"I’m eager for goals!“

Berlin- While many Hertha players were off on their travels during the international break, the others were working hard in the capital. Sami Allagui was one of those, who looked to make the most of this time. The attacker looked sharp during an inter team match, scoring twice. “Sami had a fantastic day. He was impressive to watch,” said an excited Pal Dardai. Allagui spoke to us on Thursday about the understanding between strikers, injury and this Friday’s big game with TSG Hoffenheim.

Hertha BSC: Sami, after the double in training last week Pal Dardai was singing your praises. There are some injuries in the squad at the moment, would you be ready to step up and perform?

Sami Allagui: I am 100% ready to go, and I hope I’ll get to play. I want to help the team in a way only I can- I’m eager to play in the Olympiastadion and above all to get in among the goals again.

Hertha BSC: You yourself know about injuries, and were out for a long time. How are you supporting those injured at the moment?

Allagui: You need to come together at times like this. But you have to put up a fight. You have to just get on with it at times like that and work your hardest to be fit and ready again. The injury back then was new for me and a really difficult time. When you have had a long injury you learn to you learn to appreciate your time on the pitch even more. As a result I know how the guys who are injured now feel and what they are going through.

Hertha BSC: You were injured at the same time as Julian Schieber and you guys were together during Rehab. Now he is injured again...

Allagui: Back then we were regularly keeping each other updated with how the other one was. Time passed quicker and it was fun to train together with him. Something like that brings you together. I have seen Julian privately too. He’s so strong, I think he’ll be back soon. 

Hertha BSC: The usual belief is that strikers have a good understanding with one another, even though you have Vedad Ibisevic and Salomon Kalou ahead of you. How is that going?

Allagui: The mood between us is good, we get on with each other really well off the pitch. I speak a lot of French with them. We complement each other well, have all experienced a lot and they are very much the experienced heads already. The boys have done so well in the last two years and i want to be a part of that. 

Hertha BSC: If you know you’re going to play or get the your chance to get out there, do you have a different type of motivation ahead of the game?

Allagui: It is always a special feeling when you know you’re going to play. But it is best to go in with a cool head. When I was 21 I would have gone into the game wanting to feel on top of the world. Nowadays I focus on the tasks the manager has set. I’m looking to fight up top and help the team. 

Hertha BSC: You had to wait until Wednesday before the whole squad was in training. How do you prepare for a game at such short notice? 

Allagui: For those who have come back even later, like Genki Haraguchi, then it is even harder. I had to face that double load after coming back from Africa. You have to regenerate quickly. That should mean that everyone who plays should be 100% on Friday. We are at home and don’t have to travel so that is something we have to take advantage of.  

Hertha BSC: Hoffenheim come to the Olympiastadion fourth in the Bundesliga. What are you expecting from Friday’s game?

Allagui: Football-wise Hoffeheim are one of the strongest team in the league. They move the ball around so well. But we have our own strengths. It will be a tight game, that will probably be settled by small details. We have to try to maintain what we do so well at home - being hungry and aggressive.