“We have to keep believing in our ability”

Marvin Plattenhardt could give himself the best present on offer this weekend when the team faces off against VfL Wolfsburg just a day before his 28th birthday. The left back will also be dependent on his teammates to help him make that happen though. Three points in the bag would be the perfect way to celebrate for the defender, but on Saturday in the ‘Autostadt’, it will be no easy task. “Wolfsburg are a well coached team. At home we didn’t do ourselves justice with the chances that we made, but away from home we have the chance to make up for that,” said the herthaner ahead of the battle with the Wolves. The free kick he scored in this fixture in 2016 will undoubtedly be in his mind before the game too.

herthabsc.de: ‘Platte’, on Sunday you’ll be celebrating your 28th birthday. What have you got planned?

Plattenhardt: Yeah, 30 is really creeping up on me now. But at 28, I’m still in my prime in terms of football. I don’t have big plans to celebrate my birthday, my family will come and visit me and we’ll probably go and get something to eat and just spend time with each other. How I’m feeling on the day will all depend on how the game goes on Saturday, maybe if we get the three points I’ll be able to enjoy the day.

herthabsc.de: A win on Saturday would be present not just for you but also for your team and all the fans. Why exactly do you feel so optimistic ahead of this game?

Plattenhardt: We took some important steps before the winter break and picked up some important points. We’ve added a defensive edge to our game and we’ve started to deny our opponents the space that they need to work in. Then from this good defensive work, we can mount a decent forward push. We’ve really worked hard on this in training, that and our fitness of course. Now we just have to show what we can do out on the pitch against Wolfsburg.

herthabsc.de: After such good work before the Rückrunde and all these changes you’ve made, how hard was it to take the 4-0 defeat to Bayern on your first game back?

Plattenhardt: Of course we were hoping it would go a little differently against Bayern! At least up until they made it 1-0, we were hoping to get something out of the game, but after that, we conceded too many goals too quickly and too easily. This week we’ve analysed all the key moments of that game and discussed the mistakes we made. Despite everything though, we have to remember who we were playing against in that game. Now we have to concentrate on not making these mistakes against the other teams. We built up so much morale before the winter break and we have so much belief in ourselves – now it’s about continuing to believe in our own abilities!

herthabsc.de: It was also a special moment for you when you led the team out as captain for the first time before the winter break. Against Wolfsburg you have the chance to captain the side for the fourth time. What does wearing the armband mean to you, and to what extend does it affect how you behave both in the dressing room and out on the pitch?

Plattenhardt: Like I said back in December, it’s a huge honour for me and it makes me really proud. In Leverkusen it was my 200th Bundesliga appearance and my 137th for Hertha; it was great timing. When Vedad Ibišević and Niklas Stark aren’t in the starting XI, I take the armband and lead the team out onto the pitch; it’s simple (smiles). But, even without the armband, I try to help the team by taking on responsibility.

herthabsc.de: Things have gone much better for you this season under the new coach; you’ve started five out of the six matches since Klinsmann took charge. At the training camp in Orlando he spoke about the importance of all players setting individual goals for themselves. For you personally, he encouraged you to try to get back into the national team. What are your opinions on this?

Plattenhardt: My primary objective is to play every game, and to get as many assists as possible. It would also be nice to score a few goals. I need to perform well consistently. Everyone knows that there are always opportunities in football; things can change really quickly so I’m not ruling out the possibility of getting into the national team. The coach has brought along a positive momentum, which every single player has felt and we will all profit from it as a team.

herthabsc.de: Your age is also an important factor. Due to Dedryck Boyata’s suspension, you are likely to be the most experienced defender in the team. Karim Rekik (25), Niklas Stark (24) and Jordan Torunarigha (22) will all fight it out for the two places in central defence, while Lukas Klünter (23) seems to be the favoured choice for the right-back position. Do you think that plays an important role?

Plattenhardt: I remember back in 2016, when I played in a defence along with Mitchell Weiser, John Anthony Brooks and Niklas Stark, and the media said we were just kids. It worked well back then, and it will be the same now. Of course experience helps, but we have that, no matter how we line up. Niklas and Karim have both played in the national team and have been there for a few years now. Jordan is also very experienced for his age; the same goes for Lukas. It’s important that we help each other and give each other advice, as well as the players in front of the back four. I take on responsibility for this.

herthabsc.de: Your last few games at Wolfsburg have been great to watch. The game back in September 2018 ended 2-2 with two late goals, in 2017 it was 3-3 and in 2016 it was a close 3-2 victory, with you picking up a goal and an assist. How are you feeling ahead of the match against the Wolves?

Plattenhardt: We haven’t been rewarded for our efforts at home recently; away from home it’s gone a bit better. I don’t see why we can’t repeat the result from 2016. In 2017 I assisted Karim’s goal. It would be nice to score a free kick again. But of course, winning is the most important thing.