FIRST TEAM
08/27/2014

Adam Szalai:
"Everyone puts the team first"

Striker Adam Szalai transferred to TSG in the summer. The Hungarian featured in the starting line-up in both the DFB Cup match against Paloma and the Bundesliga opener against Augsburg. He also scored in both games. achtzehn99.de spoke to the 26-year-old about his goals, his role on the pitch, life in the region and the next opponents – Werder Bremen (Saturday, 15:30 CEST, Weserstadion).

Hello, Adam. This is exactly how a striker pictures his start at a new cub, right?

Adam Szalai: As a striker, it's always important to score goals (laughs). But something much more important than my goals was that we made it through to the next round of the DFB Cup and that we won in front of the home fans in the opening Bundesliga match. That's a good basis for us to work on. The long pre-season personally really helped me to get in good form.

You seem like you've integrated into the team well, on and off the pitch. How do you feel you've settled in?

Szalai: Just like you said. We're a great group. The team is really well put together. Everyone clicks with each other. There aren't any egos, but rather everyone puts the team first and looks to play “our” football to the pitch. It's easier if everyone pulls together. We want to experience plenty more positive weekends – the victory against Augsburg is only meant to be the beginning.

You were involved in a few strong challenges in the match against Augsburg. Do you like getting stuck in?

Szalai: That's my job. You always have to get stuck in as a central striker. You get bitten back sometimes too though. You pick up knocks that hurt for one or two days, but then you're fine. If I come out of a match unscathed, then I know that I wasn't really involved in the game and wasn't getting stuck into the challenges.

Your next Bundesliga match is on Saturday. What do you expect from the game in Bremen?

Szalai: This is the Bundesliga, every match is a challenge. Werder had a few problems last season, but that doesn't play a role in this campaign. We've prepared specifically for Bremen, but generally the focus lies on us, our performance, our commitment and our football. If we take that onto the pitch with us, then we're uncomfortable opponents for anyone and tough to beat.

“No Szalai, no party” keeps cropping up on the TSG Facebook page recently. Where has that come from and what does it mean?

Szalai: I saw that, but I'm not quite sure where it has come from to be honest.

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