Sejad Salihovic: “We want to use this momentum”

Sejad, you were out injured for the Nürnberg game, but you were back in the starting XI for the match against HSV. How did you cope with strain and are you still recovering somewhat?

Salihovic: It was important for me to get back playing again. Match practice isn't just vital mentally, but particularly physically. I had no problems dealing with the strain. I'm fit and I can give 100 percent in training.

The manager made five changes for the HSV match. Does the clear victory back that up? How did you see the 3-0 win?

Salihovic: I don't think the result was just to do with the changes in the team. We set up well and defended well as a team. That was the key to victory in my view. Hamburg were rattled, but we still had to beat them. We succeeded in that.

Do you think that there will be personnel or tactical changes for the Freiburg match too?

Salihovic: You'd have to ask the manager. We players simply get ready to play and have to be prepared for a difficult game. Freiburg won at home recently against Leverkusen so it won't be easy. It doesn't matter who is on the pitch. We have to go out there as a team, just as we did against Hamburg.

You have already played in multiple positions this season. One of your strengths was clear to see in the second goal against HSV when your cross perfectly picked out Niklas Süle. Do you prefer to play more offensively?

Salihovic: I'm just happy to play. The position I'm in is secondary. Maybe you could say that I have that necessary calm on the ball when I'm attacking. But I've enjoyed every task that I've done so far, whether that's at left back or in defensive midfield.

You could celebrate a milestone on Saturday. If you play, it would be your 150th Bundesliga appearance. Is that something special for you?

Salihovic: To be honest, I didn't even realise. The only thing that counts for me is the match against Freiburg and that's what I'm focused on. It's nice to reach a milestone like that but it doesn't really play a major role for me.

SC Freiburg are a side that have provided some exciting encounters. What do you expect on Saturday?

I don't worry about the previous games and moments against SC Freiburg. That's in the past. We have momentum now from the win on the weekend. It gives us confidence and we want to use it.

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