"It would be an incredible achievement"

Marvin Plattenhardt speaks about Saturday’s game against Wolfsburg, the run-in to the end of the season and his memories of the previous game this season.

Berlin – The Hertha players remember their first meeting with Wolfsburg this season fondly. Marvin Plattenhardt was the match winner in the 3-2 victory in Wolfsburg in December. He struck directly from a free-kick, then he won a penalty which Salomon Kalou converted in stoppage time to give Hertha all three points. That was Hertha’s last win away from home. Hertha are hoping for another victory against the ‘Wolves’ on Saturday in order to spark a good run between now and the end of the season. We caught up with the left-back in an interview.

herthabsc.de: Marvin, you’ve had two days off, now you’re back in full training. Pál Dárdai said you should clear your heads. Have you done that?

Marvin Plattenhardt: The defeat in Mainz still bothered me the day after. You can’t clear such games from your mind that quickly. But the time off was good. I spent Easter with my girlfriend and her family and managed to have a little rest.

herthabsc.de: We’re now heading into the run-in. What’s it going to come down to in the final stretch?

Plattenhardt: We’re entering a very important phase. We want to gain a few more points and continue looking upwards. That would be an incredible achievement. What’s important is that we perform as a team and all pull together.

herthabsc.de: You’re missing a few players to injury. How frustrating is it that players keep getting injured?

Plattenhardt: It’s a shame when players get injured and can’t play. Right now it would be nice if we had a fully fit squad. Of course, we have other players who can come in. We’re a team so everyone fights for each other. I hope that they recover quickly and can contribute again soon.

Berlin – The Hertha players remember their first meeting with Wolfsburg this season fondly. Marvin Plattenhardt was the match winner in the 3-2 victory in Wolfsburg in December. He struck directly from a free-kick, then he won a penalty which Salomon Kalou converted in stoppage time to give Hertha all three points. That was Hertha’s last win away from home. Hertha are hoping for another victory against the ‘Wolves’ on Saturday in order to spark a good run between now and the end of the season. We caught up with the left-back in an interview.

herthabsc.de: Marvin, you’ve had two days off, now you’re back in full training. Pál Dárdai said you should clear your heads. Have you done that?Marvin Plattenhardt: The defeat in Mainz still bothered me the day after. You can’t clear such games from your mind that quickly. But the time off was good. I spent Easter with my girlfriend and her family and managed to have a little rest.

herthabsc.de: We’re now heading into the run-in. What’s it going to come down to in the final stretch?
Plattenhardt: We’re entering a very important phase. We want to gain a few more points and continue looking upwards. That would be an incredible achievement. What’s important is that we perform as a team and all pull together.

herthabsc.de: You’re missing a few players to injury. How frustrating is it that players keep getting injured?
Plattenhardt: It’s a shame when players get injured and can’t play. Right now it would be nice if we had a fully fit squad. Of course, we have other players who can come in. We’re a team so everyone fights for each other. I hope that they recover quickly and can contribute again soon.

herthabsc.de: The table is very tight. How do you see the outlook going into the final phase of the season?

Plattenhardt: We look a little bit at the table and follow the results of the other matches. But first and foremost we concentrate on our own performances and on our own strengths. We’re having a good season and we’ve done everything. If we can get a few more points then we don’t really need to worry what the teams around us do.

herthabsc.de: The table is very tight. How do you see the outlook going into the final phase of the season?
Plattenhardt: We look a little bit at the table and follow the results of the other matches. But first and foremost we concentrate on our own performances and on our own strengths. We’re having a good season and we’ve done everything. If we can get a few more points then we don’t really need to worry what the teams around us do.

He said...

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In the previous game this season we fought until the end and managed to win. We need to do that again.
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-Marvin Plattenhardt

herthabsc.de: On Saturday (22.04.17) Wolfsburg are the visitors and they’re fighting to stay up. But you have good memories of the previous match against them this season…

Plattenhardt: Yes, it was a turbulent game which went this way and that. I scored a free-kick – my first of the season. The goal from Alexander Esswein was also very nice. We won a penalty in stoppage time and got the victory. We fought until the end and attacked and we really wanted the three points. We managed to win and we need to do that again.

herthabsc.de: How are you looking to do that?

Plattenhardt: Since they changed manager a few weeks ago, Wolfsburg have won a few points. The strikers are scoring. We need to be wary of them. Even though Wolfsburg are fighting for survival, we mustn’t underestimate them. They’re still a good team. We’re strong at home and hence we’re confident that we can win. With the support of our fans we have everything we need and we want to keep up the good work.herthabsc.de: On Saturday (22.04.17) Wolfsburg are the visitors and they’re fighting to stay up. But you have good memories of the previous match against them this season… Plattenhardt: Yes, it was a turbulent game which went this way and that. I scored a free-kick – my first of the season. The goal from Alexander Esswein was also very nice. We won a penalty in stoppage time and got the victory. We fought until the end and attacked and we really wanted the three points. We managed to win and we need to do that again. herthabsc.de: On Saturday (22.04.17) Wolfsburg are the visitors and they’re fighting to stay up. But you have good memories of the previous match against them this season…

Plattenhardt: Yes, it was a turbulent game which went this way and that. I scored a free-kick – my first of the season. The goal from Alexander Esswein was also very nice. We won a penalty in stoppage time and got the victory. We fought until the end and attacked and we really wanted the three points. We managed to win and we need to do that again.

herthabsc.de: How are you looking to do that?

Plattenhardt: Since they changed manager a few weeks ago, Wolfsburg have won a few points. The strikers are scoring. We need to be wary of them. Even though Wolfsburg are fighting for survival, we mustn’t underestimate them. They’re still a good team. We’re strong at home and hence we’re confident that we can win. With the support of our fans we have everything we need and we want to keep up the good work.

herthabsc.de: On Saturday (22.04.17) Wolfsburg are the visitors and they’re fighting to stay up. But you have good memories of the previous match against them this season…

Plattenhardt: Yes, it was a turbulent game which went this way and that. I scored a free-kick – my first of the season. The goal from Alexander Esswein was also very nice. We won a penalty in stoppage time and got the victory. We fought until the end and attacked and we really wanted the three points. We managed to win and we need to do that again.

herthabsc.de: How are you looking to do that?

Plattenhardt: Since they changed manager a few weeks ago, Wolfsburg have won a few points. The strikers are scoring. We need to be wary of them. Even though Wolfsburg are fighting for survival, we mustn’t underestimate them. They’re still a good team. We’re strong at home and hence we’re confident that we can win. With the support of our fans we have everything we need and we want to keep up the good work.